By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Government working together. That's what 9-1-1 directors in Barton County and Rice County are doing to improve services on the eastern side of Barton County and the western side of Rice County. Barton County Communications Director Dena Popp received approval from the commission during Wednesday's meeting to move forward on the joint project.
"Over the last six months or so, Barton County 9-1-1, myself, has met with and continues to work with the Rice County 9-1-1 director to work on some details on an agreement to utilize each others' towers on the 800Mhz radio system," Popp told the commission.
The issue stems from the digital tone system, or pages that go out to fire and EMS personnel. There have been issues with rural departments not receiving the tones, especially in the Claflin area.
"Those issues have to do with what towers the pagers are hitting off of," Popp explained. "If the pagers scan for towers, and it hits on a tower that's not close, they may or may not get the signal to set off the page."
Claflin Fire Chief Doug Hubbard said the tower in Silica seems to solve the problem, and Barton County would have access to that tower under the new agreement.
"This is kind of a no brainer," said Commissioner Kirby Krier. "This is awesome when the government works together. It doesn't cost anybody either, that's what's really rare."
The Barton Commission approved the agreement 5-0, and now Rice County 9-1-1 Director Josh Michaelis will take the matter to his commission on Monday.
"In this agreement, there is no financial obligation to either county, as well as no liability in the event of any man-made or natural-made disaster," said Popp. "I'm very appreciative for the opportunity to work with the Rice County director to come to an agreement on this."