Trending
Monroe County is a safer place today than it was a few months ago, thanks to installation of a new 911 system.
Phil Keevert and Jason Harter, system coordinators, told the Monroe County Board of Commissioners recently the new Next Generation 911 system is up and running.
The computer-aided design system will provide responders with information about roads, names, addresses and properties across the county.
The county commissioners signed a contract in July, agreeing to pay $230,280 for the equipment, services, training, installation, software updates and maintenance for five years.
In addition to providing much more detailed and specific information to first responders, the automated portion of the system will provide status updates about responding emergency vehicles and assist officers and medical personnel with incident reporting and information management.
A great deal of work was required to implement the system. Keevert and Harter have been working to provide updated, accurate information.
Commissioner Tim Price praised the work of the two men and said that the smooth transition to the new system has been due to all of the groundwork laid by them.
Price is right. That work is important -- and it will be appreciated by the hundreds of people the system will help in the coming months and years. Not only will residents benefit from the fact that first responders will be able to find them more quickly and easily when they call for help, but those responders will benefit as well, since the system will track their vehicles and alert other officials if they are experiencing problems.
Monroe County is a beautiful area. After all, it is known as the "Switzerland of Ohio" for its rugged hills, winding roads and incredible views. But it also is a rural area with many residents who live in outlying areas that may be difficult to reach or unfamiliar to first responders. Having a state-of-the-art 911 system will improve safety for everyone in the county, and residents deserve that.