Mahaska County Emergency Communications Has New Oversight
Mahaska County Emergency Management Commission met Thursday night, passing a 28E agreement that will give them responsibility over emergency communications in the county.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Thursday evening, the Mahaska County Emergency Management (EMA) Commission and E911 Board met to vote on a 28E agreement that would see Mahaska County Emergency Management take on the responsibility of managing emergency communications for the county.
The E911 Board since it’s inception in the early 1990’s hired and managed the department through it’s director.
“The purpose of this agreement is to establish and govern the operation of the joint emergency response communication services for law enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency services in Mahaska County.”
The City of Oskaloosa had one concern with the agreement and wanted to see that language was in place to have an advisory board be a part of the 28E language. Dustin Hite, Mayor of New Sharon rejected the notion of putting the language in the 28E agreement, and advised he would be more comfortable with that language being int he by-laws of the Emergency Management Commission.
Tom Jimenez, the Oskaloosa City Council representative on the board said that the city hoped to to make sure that professionals serving in police, fire and ambulance would be able to advise the commission. Hite didn’t disagree with utilizing the expertise of experts, but did disagree with Oskaloosa having more representation on that board.
The Emergency Management Commission passed the 28E agreement with only the City of Oskaloosa voting against the agreement.
The E911 Board met next, and it’s membership is made up primarily of those serving on the EMA Commission.
The meeting went shorter than the commission meeting prior to it, as most of the details had already been discussed.
Voting for the agreement resulted as the same as the EMA Commission meeting, and the 28E agreement was passed, handing the responsibility of communications over to Emergency Management.
Jamey Robinson, EMA Director said, “I’m excited to start working with the staff on enhancing our communications and E911 in Mahaska County.”
You can find out more about emergency communications in Mahaska County by visiting Mahaska County E911 on Facebook HERE or learn more about when to call 911 HERE.
