Monticello-Wayne County 9-1-1 Communications Board met Wednesday at the 9-1-1 Center with Chairman Bubby Corder and board members Police Chief Joey Hoover, Fire Chief Gabe Heatherly, and Wayne County Coroner Gordon Hicks present along with 9-1-1 Director Cory Byrd and Finance Officer Shannon Upchurch.
The board unanimously agreed to begin giving longevity awards to all 9-1-1 telecommunicators. The board agreed to Chief Hoover’s recommended structure which will be: those serving 0 until the end of their 2nd year will receive $200, those serving 2 years – until the end of their 4th year will receive $300, and for those serving 5 years or more the award will be $400. The awards will be paid immediately, then annually no later than December 20th.
Director Byrd announced one personnel change. He said a new 9-1-1 telecommunicator, Seth Mason, from Albany, has been hired full time.
The ongoing challenge of developing policy and procedures for those on the Rotating Wrecker Listing at 9-1-1 continues. Director Byrd told the board he continues to develop a policy using the KY State Police policy as a road map, but it isn’t final yet but he is hopeful to have the policy in place in early 2025. Chief Gabe Heatherly recommended the policy include the requirement that all wrecker services bring oil dry, a shovel, and a broom when coming to pick up a vehicle. Chairman Corder told the board he has received numerous complaints from the public due to certain wrecker services charging phenomenal storage fees, and inflated fees to insurance companies. Finance Officer Shannon Upchurch told the board that those with wreckers exceeding 10,001 pounds or more are required to have a DOT number. The board agreed that once the final policy is drafted, it will be sent to Wayne County Attorney Tom Simmons for his approval, then bring it back to the board at their next meeting.
Byrd told the board he is still waiting on a server that will allow the local communications center to record digital radio transmissions for Wayne County EMS, who will be transition to a fully digital system once the recording capability is in place.
Next meeting of the 9-1-1 Communications Board will be held March 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM at the 9-1-1 Center.