Byesville Rotary gets report on essential 911 service

Pictured: Sheriff Paden, Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office, and Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President.

 

Byesville Rotary welcomed Sheriff Paden to the weekly meeting. Paden reported about the local 911 service and how technology innovations such as smart phones and wireless service are changing how the 911 service is provided.

Sheriff Paden explained that the 911 service provides a centralized site for requesting emergency assistance. A person who wants to report an emergency can dial one number instead of having to decide if she needs to call the fire department, the police or the emergency medical service.

Lots of people use 911. As use of wireless technology has increased, the number of calls the local 911 service receives has ballooned. Sheriff Paden reported that in 2016, the local 911 service received over 44,700 calls. Currently, all 911 calls go to the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Department no matter where in the county the caller is located.

“Currently, our 911 system is staffed by 1 person a shift,” stated Sheriff Paden. “That staff member is responsible for answering all calls and for forwarding each call to the right department.” Sheriff Paden explained that the state of Ohio has mandated that all 911 departments receiving wireless calls must improve service by increase staffing to 2 members per shift. Each staff member will need to be EMD (Emergency Medicine Dispatcher) certified and trained to use medical software so that the staff member can provide medical information over the phone.

By May of 2018, Sheriff Paden will need to double his 911 staff, purchase new software, and remodel office space to house the upgraded department. He has begun to look for the funds to meet this challenge.

Sheriff Paden explained that unfortunately not everyone who dials 911 has a true emergency. This means that people with a true emergency may have to let their phone ring for a while. He assured Rotary members that ALL calls are answered.

Community members can help the 911 service become more efficient by remembering that 911 is not a help line. It not intended to help people find a phone number or locate a lost pet or provide the address of a local business. It should not be used to complain about barking dogs or loud music, or a crash when someone is not hurt.

Callers should use 911 for emergencies such as: 1) reporting a crime in progress like someone hurting someone else or breaking into a person's house; 2) getting help when someone suddenly seems very sick and is having a hard time speaking or breathing or turns blue, or collapses or passes out; or 3) reporting a building on fire.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or Instagram Byesville.rotary.ohio@gmail.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

CDC keeps improving Guernsey County green spaces

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President, and Ron Gombeda, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation (CDC).

Byesville Rotary welcomed Ron Gombeda, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation (CDC) to their weekly meeting. Gombeda stated that “…the mission of the CDC is to improve quality of life in Guernsey County.” He pointed out that one area of focus for the CDC is to contribute to the improvement of the natural environment. The range of environmental projects the CDC has been involved or is currently involved in includes small projects like helping townships obtain needed items such as stop signs and culverts, building playgrounds as well as supporting large projects such as the Great Guernsey Trail.

The CDC’s future goals include several ambitious projects. The CDC would like to purchase the Whiskey Run Golf Course. The course would be turned into a nature preserve. Gombeda stated the estimated cost for this project is $2.56 million. The organization is also working to extend the Great Guernsey Trail east past Lore City and join the Guernsey Trail with other developed trails. Other plans for the Guernsey Trail include developing a bird sanctuary on the Trail.  

Gombeda went on to describe CDC plans for the old Ramages building in Byesville. The old building, which has been damaged by vandals, will have a second life serving as a “mini COSI”-- a hands-on learning center focusing on the environment and outdoor activities. Gombeda stated that the estimated cost to renovate building and purchase equipment is $175,000.

Gombeda reported the CDC has two continuing effort is to keep Guernsey County green spaces attractive. One effort involves removing log jams from county streams. This effort maintains local water quality and prevents erosion. A second effort is cleaning up illegal dumpsites. In order to fund this effort, the CDC works with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain financing. Gombeda reported that in 2014-15, the CDC was able to clean up 13 illegal sites. As a service to county residents, the CDC will legally dispose of old tires dropped off at the CDC office.

How does the CDC fund all these projects? Gombeda explained that funding involves a lot of grant writing and requires working with various local, state and federal agencies.  Some of the agencies the CDC works with include the Clean Ohio Clean Ohio Trails, National Emergency Grant, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Gombeda stated the CDC sponsors holds fundraisers. This year the organization will raise funds at the Outdoor Expo and Sportsman’s Bash which is planned for the last Saturday in June at the Byesville Park.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or Instagram Byesville.rotary.ohio@gmail.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.