Council discusses issues with 911 system
The Dubois County 911 Advisory Board is facing ongoing challenges with its emergency communication system, despite recent upgrades aimed at improving service.
At Monday’s Dubois County Council meeting, Councilman Doug Uebelhor discussed persistent issues with missed pages and unclear communications, particularly in certain geographic areas of the county.
Uebelhor, who serves on the 911 Advisory Board, reported that while some problems were addressed by recent system upgrades, emergency responders are still experiencing difficulties.
“There were still some missed pages even over the weekend that things were not clear,” he said.
The county’s varied terrain, with hills and valleys, complicates efforts to ensure reliable communication coverage across all areas. Different technologies work better in different parts of the county, adding to the complexity of finding a comprehensive solution.
“Some areas, 800 MHz works best. Some areas VHF works best. Some areas it’s kind of a combination,” Uebelhor explained.
The county operates on a system of three transmitters and eight receivers, covering a larger area than neighboring Jasper, which uses a smaller, more concentrated system.
Officials are considering bringing in additional vendors to explore options for improving the system. However, they caution against assuming that simply investing in more expensive equipment will solve all problems.
“Getting all 800 MHz devices would be really pricey and it still wouldn’t solve the problem,” Uebelhor noted. “Just throwing money at it, it’s not the solution.”
The 911 Advisory Board, which includes representatives from local law enforcement, fire departments, and county officials, is working to find a solution that addresses the needs of all emergency services across the county.
Brad Buechler, a Huntingburg Volunteer Firefighter, has been particularly vocal about the communication issues. Described as passionate and knowledgeable about the system, Buechler has been instrumental in highlighting problems and assisting with communication during emergencies.
“He is passionate and he has the best interests to try to get everything,” Uebelhor said. “He’s really concerned about making sure that no one gets hurt from something not happening, a page not going out or something like that.”
The cost of potential upgrades remains a concern. Previous discussions about switching to 800 MHz radios for all emergency responders were met with hesitation due to the high cost per unit.
“Those aren’t cheap, they’re outrageously expensive,” Councilman Alex Hohl noted.
As discussions continue, the county faces the challenge of balancing the need for reliable emergency communications with budget constraints and the diverse needs of different areas within the county.
The 911 Advisory Board plans to continue working on the issue, with future meetings expected to focus on finding a solution that works for all emergency services across Dubois County.
The council also took the following actions:
Election of Board Officers
The meeting opens with nominations for president and vice president of the board. Mike Kluesner was nominated and elected to continue as president, while Ryan Craig was nominated and elected as vice president.
Community Corrections Funding Requests
Wyatt Madden, Director of Community Corrections, presented two funding requests. The first was an additional appropriation of $5,724 from the CTP fund for a one-year subscription to RELIAS Training Academy. The board approved this request. The second request was for funding two new night shift officer positions, which the commissioners had previously approved. The board discussed using opioid settlement money as partial funding for these positions, with the remainder coming from the Correctional and Rehabilitative Facilities Local Income Tax (C and R). The council agreed to move fund the positions from the C & R tax fund.
Purdue Extension Office rent increase
Chelsea Brewer, County Extension Director, requested an additional $2,400 for the year to cover a rent increase at the Center on Fifth. The increase is due to a new HVAC system installation. The board approved the additional funding but expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of the current location and discussed the possibility of finding a county-owned building for the Extension Office in the future.
Courthouse HVAC System Proposal
The council discussed a proposal to upgrade the courthouse HVAC system. The lowest bid came in at $257,236, significantly higher than the initial estimate of $150,000. The county commissioners recommended moving forward with the project, citing the age of the current system and the potential for future cost increases. The council agreed to advertise for $260,000 from the LIT fund to cover the project and any unforeseen expenses.
Additional Appropriations and Encumbrances
The board reviews and approves several additional appropriations, including funds for security officers’ salaries and benefits, and a school bus camera safety program. They also discuss various encumbrances carried over from the previous year, including funds for an ambulance and fuel tax refunds.
