By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
On Aug. 5, the Barton County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Sheriff Brian Bellendir as head of the county's 911 Communications department. Since then, Bellendir and commissioners have met with various stakeholders potentially impacted by the switch. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Bellendir suggested revising the passed resolution to include all stakeholders. He said the list of stakeholders may need updated as many rural fire and EMS departments now operate separately.
“One of the concerns when I took this this on was that other agencies and entities would not have a say in the operation,” Bellendir said. “I want to make sure everyone has a say. If I’m missing somebody, we certainly invite them to attend the meetings. In this case, I think EMS directors probably should be part of the appointed board.”
A study session is in the works to review who should be included as stakeholders. According to county administration, the move to put the sheriff’s office in charge of communications came as a result of a staffing shortage. Bellendir said 911 is not out of the woods yet, but it is no longer in imminent danger with a few dispatchers in training and just three vacant positions.
“We’re gaining,” he said. “We’re not at the dangerous staffing levels we were 4-5-6 weeks ago. There’s more direction, I think, with a structured chain of command as we operate under; there’s more of a unified direction as to which way everybody is going, and there’s no question as to how we want to do things.”
Department directors who have not previously been contacted but want to be included for future meetings are encouraged to contact Lt. Adam Hales, who now oversees Barton County Communications 911.