COLUMBUS, Ind. – On Monday morning, the Bartholomew County Commissioners approved a letter of intent that the county’s emergency services operations center will use to initiate the application for a federal grant. The government money would help fund a new 911 system for the county. In the words of center director Todd Noblitt, it could result in “savings of several hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
The grant funds would be administered by the state 911 board. Among the board’s priorities for awarding grants is next-generation readiness.
The center, located at 131 S. Cherry Street in Columbus, is the first county entity to receive 911 calls. “It starts with our people,” says Noblitt. “When there’s been a severe accident or horrific scene, our staff determines what kind of first responders need to be out there.” He notes that center takes around 140,000 calls a year.