Articles, Database ‘very useful tool’ for emergency responders

By Paul Fallon
Times West Virginian
Published: April 11, 2008 12:49 am

FAIRMONT — The Marion County Commission approved a letter of agreement this week with JH Consulting for a data-entry contract with the Marion County Office of Emergency Services.

Employees with the Buckhannon firm will be contracted to enter data into the ETEAM database at Central Communications, said Chris McIntire, director of the Office of Emergency Services.

The ETEAM database is a computer system that allows for different emergency offices around the state to immediately find resources available in other counties, McIntire said.

For example, if Marion County first responders needed a helicopter, they could access the database to see where one is located, he added. Marion County emergency personnel could also check the system to see how long it would take for the helicopter to arrive.

“It’s a very useful tool,” McIntire said.

The contractor will be hired to enter the various data into the Marion County system in a much quicker fashion than 911 personnel could, he added. He went on to say that he hopes that JH Consulting employees should have all of the information into the system by July 1.

“They (JH Consulting) could do it in probably a third of the time it would take us,” McIntire said.

The employees with the firm will be paid on an hourly basis, McIntire said. He added that the contract is not to exceed $5,000.

Marion County Sheriff Junior Slaughter was also on hand at the meeting to discuss a new hire at the department. Slaughter was asking the commissioners to consent to hiring Robert Selan as a full-time holding-facility security officer. His new salary will be $20,000 with benefits.

Selan’s first day with the department was March 24. He was hired on an emergency basis because of a resignation of a holding-facility security officer, the sheriff said. Slaughter also said that one worker had also been out sick recently, so his department was in need of another employee.

“He’s been doing an excellent job,” Slaughter said.

The commissioners also agreed to advertise for positions on the E-911 Advisory Board. The commissioners will accept applications for the positions for 30 days. State Code requires that a board member be selected from each of the emergency agencies, including fire service, law enforcement, and emergency-medical service. A commissioner must also serve on the board.

The commissioners also signed a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month. Fair housing is a right guaranteed under the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The proclamation was signed to encourage all county citizens to support fair housing.

E-mail Paul Fallon at pfallon@timeswv.com.