VGCC recognizes graduates of EMT-Paramedic Training
Vance-Granville Community College honored six men and seven women who completed the college’s eleven-month-long Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program on Dec. 15.
 Commissioners approve additional expense for emergency radio tower
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners agreed to spend a relatively small amount now to address a problem that may or may not exist in the future.
The alternative, consultants said, could be costly.
On Tuesday night, the board approved change orders to its planned $10.7 million emergency radio system overhaul.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners to decide on additional funds for radio project Franklin County commissioners will again be presented with change order requests regarding a $10.7 million overhaul of its radio station. During the meeting on Tuesday night, they expect to get more answers. 
New sheriff could be named Monday
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners expect to be another step closer to naming the county’s next sheriff on Monday.
The board met twice in closed session this past week to interview five candidates interested in the job, according to those close to the matter.
 Sheriff Jerry Jones |  |  United Way Siren Cook-Off Contest scheduled for Oct. 8
This is red hot news.
The call is going out to all Franklin County rescue and fire agencies, police departments and the Sheriff’s Office – we want to see, and taste, your best cooking! As part of the 2011-12 United Way of Franklin County campaign, all the public servicemen and women are invited to participate in a collective cook-off on Oct. 8. Dial 911: they really do make house calls By: Kathy Harrelson The business of emergency services in Franklin County is in many hands.
To a large extent it goes beyond budget crunches that have every agency trying to find ways to cut back and manage operations as the population grows here, although there are significant dollar commitments needed immediately for communications shortfalls.
In Franklin County, the heart and soul of fire and rescue service depends on the workers and volunteers, and the demand is only increasing.
Calls for fire and rescue services have more than doubled in the last five years, with the county emergency communications taking 6,452 calls in 2008.
Here is the break-down for last year’s calls: Bunn Rescue, 1,526; Franklinton Rescue, 885; Louisburg Rescue, 1,682; Youngsville Rescue, 982 and White Level Rescue, 506.
I was more than happy to be part of the recent county rescue association monthly meeting, invited by Scott Strickland, to talk about public awareness for the group.
The squads rotate hosting a meeting, and this month it was in Franklinton.
I was especially happy to get some great grilled BBQ chicken, especially knowing I usually don’t get to experience that one-of-a-kind Franklinton Rescue grill touch, one of the best in the county, until the annual Fun in the Sun event. (That’s May 16 this year, and plates will be $7 at the station, by the way.)
I have enormous respect for these men and women, as I do for law enforcement in the same vein, and I heard a lot of concerns expressed from them that do tie in with budget and monetary woes, but much more attention was going to how they could serve residents better.
A lot, as I heard it, depends also on the public as users of 911 and as folks who need help when we find ourselves in troubled times — injury, sickness or disaster.
I was very surprised to hear that many, many residents do not use the 911 system to the best advantage.
Far too many people actually bring an injured person directly to the rescue buildings — which are not staffed full time 24-hours.
They think rescue workers will be there, only they come to an empty building.
Doing this loses a lot of critical time — minutes in which a rescuer could be saving a life.
The association has a goal of an eight-minute response time anywhere in the county. The average realized is much shorter. That’s pretty strong.
It would take a good many of us eight minutes just to get a sick or injured person into a car and get on the road in the right direction.
The overwhelming message from the association is to call 911 without pause or hesitation.
“We make house calls,” several members said over and over.
Again, call 911.
You would have never thought that getting people to call 911 would be such an issue, but they identified it as one of the very top problems they have to deal with.
More For Us To Do
But the effort on the callers side does not end there.
Here are a few tips they shared:
• Be calm. Even though you have called 911, your location might not be clear. You need to say exactly where you are and then listen to the questions that will be asked about the situation.
Giving the dispatcher details allows the rescue workers to go in and know what they are facing. It also gives time for expert teams — perhaps diving or extraction — to be called in, saving valuable time. (Note: you’ll be reading more about these specialty units in upcoming editions).
Even though you are stressed, stay on the phone and listen to the instructions from the dispatcher.
You are going to be scared and frustrated, yes. But stay on the line and answer all the questions as best you can.
• Put up pets. When the rescue workers arrive, they need to move fast and freely. Make sure outside animals are restrained and place inside animals out of the way.
Even moving furniture back for a clear path of entry and exit can help.
• Keep a list of medicines that are being taken by each member of the household handy. Put them on the refrigerator or by the phone way before any situation arises.
Include any known allergies and conditions. This gives the rescue workers quick information about the patient’s health that could also help in a rescue effort.
• Make sure there are big, bold letters/numbers identifying your home location, and don’t just have the ID in one spot. Put it on the mailbox, a fence and directly on the house.
Don’t just say you’ll “put the porch light on.” Rescue workers get to a neighborhood at night, and half the area is lit up with porch lights. Turning the light off and on to send a signal and to stand out is a good idea, they said.
• If you have started to travel with the patient and are on a phone with a dispatcher, pull over and specifically identify your location so they can get to you. Time that you travel is time wasted away from being in the hands of the experts.
• On the scene of an accident or rescue event, be sensitive. Back away and allow the workers to do their jobs. They will inform you as soon as the victim is safe.
These tips are ones you need to think of before you are in an emergency situation.
It will take some preparation, and these are tips that you might not have ever thought about but will make a huge difference in the rescue of someone in need.
Also, every squad is recruiting volunteers, and applications can be picked up at respective squads.
I hope there are some folks out there right now who can see a good fit into this group of outstanding public servants who are out there for all of us every minute of every day by dialing 911.
And remember, do — definitely — dial 911 first and foremost.
To every rescue official in Franklin County, thanks for all you do day after day, night after night.
And to county commissioners who are trying to get a solid, balanced budget, please put public safety for the citizens of Franklin County at the top of your list when considering the need for improved 911 communications, which is simply necessary to protect and save lives |
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COP SHOP. Franklin County Sheriff Pat Green is scheduled to request new vehicles to replace older cruisers in the department’s fleet. (Times photo by Carey Johnson) |
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The Franklin County Board of Commissioners will consider a request to add new vehicles to the sheriff’s office fleet during its meeting on Monday.
Last June, Sheriff Pat Green wanted 15 new vehicles to replenish the department, but because of expected budget crunches, requested 10 new vehicles.
Commissioners were only able to meet him halfway, approving five new vehicles in the 2008-09 budget.
Green said the board promised, though, that if his office generated better than expected revenues, they could redress the matter before the fiscal year ended.
According to Green, the office has collected $600,000 more than it expected in revenues from housing federal inmates.
Green said a portion of that money — about $300,000 — should be used to purchase 14 new vehicles.
“The board and the manager promised me that revenues above and beyond could be used to help me buy more cars,” Green said.
He said using federal inmate dollars allows the department to get the vehicles it needs without dipping into the county’s general fund.
“If we can get these vehicles now, we won’t have to tap into taxpayer money,” Green said.
Green said jail staff has done some shuffling to house more federal inmates this year.
As a result, Green said, by the end of June, the department is expected to realize $2.2 million in revenue from housing federal inmates, compared to the average intake of about $1.2 million.
“I think we’re okay,” Green said of the ability to buy the vehicles.
He said the revenue is also good for the county’s overall bottom line.
“The other day, I was told that those revenues helped save 10 county positions,” Green said. “It’s helped save some jobs.
“That makes me feel good.”
During budget discussions, so far, commissioners and staff have talked about how jail revenues and savings in food preparation costs at the jail could help offset revenue shortfalls in other areas of government.
Commission Chairman Robert Lee Swanson said he believes the board can address Green’s needs as well as other needs of the county.
And he said getting new vehicles is a better prospect than maintaining older ones.
“When they get worn out and you keep them, it costs you more to keep them up than get a new one,” Swanson said.
If the request is approved, Green is not expected to ask for new vehicles in the upcoming budget.
In other business, the board will be asked to approve a contract amendment with a consultant group that is helping it address emergency radio communications issues.
Kimball & Associates was brought on board in February 2006 to help the county improve its emergency communications system.
The delay in the project requires the county to amend the agreement for additional services needed to complete the initial phase, said Emergency Communications Director Christy Shearin.
Those services include modifications to the request for proposal; evaluation of those proposals; and contract negotiation assistance.
That brings the total fee amount to just $20,186.
• Commissioners will be asked to adopt a resolution allowing the county to negotiate with H.S. Annis architects to examine renovation issues at the county’s Health and Human services building.
The county is looking at renovating available space to house the Board of Elections, which has faced a space crunch for years.
The matter is up for discussion at the meeting.
Commissioners meet at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of the Franklin County Administration Building on Market Street in Louisburg.
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| Commissioners move forward to re-bid EMS-911 | By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
| | | The Franklin County Board of Commissioners agreed to re-bid an emergency communications project, hoping some tweaks in the proposal and the timing results in long-overdue improvements.
Piedmont Communications was the sole bidder for the $2.9 million project designed to provide 95 percent coverage 95 percent of the time all across Franklin County.
Because of a poor economy, the company was unable to secure a performance bond, which is essentially a third-party financial guarantee against its work.
By unanimous vote, commissioners agreed to rebid the project immediately.
They hope the economy has rebounded enough by then for a contractor to be able to receive a performance bond.
The only expected difference in the proposal, staff said, is that contractor will be responsible for overseeing the construction and site work for towers that will hold the equipment necessary to improve pager service throughout the county.
“It makes the project more attractive,” said Commissioner Bob Winters. “It’ll give them a better profit margin.”
Firefighters and rescue workers who helped fill the commissioners’ meeting room applauded the board’s decision to move forward.
“We were looking at the minutes from the first firefighters’ meeting, from July 13, 1962 and the main thing was to upgrade fire communications,” said Fireman’s Association President Darrell Chalk. “We’re still looking at it.”
Commissioner Shane Mitchell, who is also a firefighter, said it’s time to get the problem fixed.
“We’re falling behind (by not fixing it),” he said. “If we have to tweak the proposal, then tweak it. But we need to get this done for the citizens of this county.”
The board’s decision on Monday ended months of discussion between staff and members of the 911 Advisory Committee about how to address the issue.
Last month, the committee recommended that the project be rebid, immediately, but staff was prepared to recommend against that during a March 2 meeting.
When that meeting was canceled, county staff reconsidered and, instead of making a recommendation, decided to present commissioners with options, including rebidding the project immediately, delaying the project until the economy rebounded or taking steps in the interim to improve communications as best they could until the complete overhaul took place.
While commissioners agreed to the tweaks regarding the towers, they were not willing to budge regarding their expectation that an upgrade provide at least 95 percent coverage 95 percent of the time.
A revamp of the emergency communication system in the early 2000s was supposed to yield that service, but the renovation fell short of that goal.
Erin P. Wall, president of Piedmont Communications, said his service would meet that goal.
Since law requires a contractor to have both a bid bond and performance bond, his word is not good enough to proceed.
The project had to be re-bid. Staff and commissioners were aware that after the project is re-bid, they could wind up in the same situation they were in on Monday night.
That’s why they also looked favorably on using available money — about $700,000 in the county’s 911 funds — to make improvements on an interim basis. | | | | |
| CaptiveAire electrical fire recovery under way | By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
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FULL VIEW. Firefighters get a bird’s-eye view of the smoke and fire that filtered out of CaptiveAire on Friday afternoon. All workers were able to return to work on Monday as production resumed. (Times photo by Carey Johnson) |
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CaptiveAire workers returned to work on Monday after an apparent electrical fire forced an evacuation on Friday.
Fire investigators believe the motor on a ventilation fan attached to an outside wall locked up and sparks began to arc inside.
Those sparks, investigators said, reached some flammable materials on a storage rack on the outside of the building — causing a fire that ignited woods outside and the building inside.
“The primary damage,” said Youngsville Lt. Andy Dudash, was to the exterior of the building.
“We were able to contain the fire there.”
He said about 85 percent of the fire damage occurred outside the building.
None of the 150 employees inside were injured during the blaze that started shortly before 11 a.m. at the plant where workers make ventilation systems for commercial kitchens.
“The guys that responded with us, Franklinton, Wake Forest, Louisburg, did an absolutely outstanding job,” Dudash said. “We could not have done it without them.
“They all worked seamlessly.”
Plant manager Csaba Surik and evacuating employees credited the orderly situation to intense fire training at the Youngsville plant.
“Because of that,” said employee Toraine Burwell, everyone made it out without a scratch.”
The initial call to the plant created as much tension as there was smoke in the air at the plant’s site on Northbrook Drive.
When first reported, witnesses said they saw smoke and fire and heard what sounded like explosions.
Investigators, though, believe that was the sound of aerosol cans bursting.
“We’re pretty sure it was those cans that were exploding,” Dudash said. “They do make a loud pop like people said they heard.”
As far as flammable materials or accelerants, CaptiveAire officials said those statements were exaggerated.
According to the county’s Emergency Services Office, CaptiveAire does not have reportable quantities of chemicals at the plant.
CaptiveAire Human Resources Director Lea Waring said the plant houses argon for acetylene torches and there is carbon dioxide at the plant, but they are not flammable.
Also, the insulation at the plant is not flammable, either.
“The insulation that we use is not flammable because of the product we make,” Waring said.
Waring said hood and fan production began again on Monday.
A portion of the building did not have power for a time, but full production resumed Monday.
If production remains offline it will be at CaptiveAire’s other locations, none of which are in North Carolina.
Those workers affected could have used accrued vacation time to account for missed work, she said.
She was confident, though, that CaptiveAire’s employees have been taken care of.
“Bob Luddy is an excellent owner and member of this county,” Waring said. | | | | |
CaptiveAire employees gather as firefighters behind them try to extinguish a blaze at the Youngsville plant.
YOUNGSVILLE — More than 100 CaptiveAire workers escaped injury Friday morning after evacuating a burning building. Workers reported seeing smoke and fire and hearing eruptions at about 11 a.m. “I heard what sounded like explosions,” said Laura Murrill, who has worked at the company for more than a year. CaptiveAire fire | By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
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DISASTER AVERTED. Louisburg firefighter Mike Rowe puts on a mask as he prepares to check the building for people inside. (Times photos by Carey Johnson) |
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YOUNGSVILLE — More than 100 CaptiveAire workers escaped injury Friday morning after evacuating a burning building.
Workers reported seeing smoke and fire and hearing eruptions at about 11 a.m.
“I heard what sounded like explosions,” said Laura Murrill, who has worked at the company for more than a year.
“It was a bunch of them,” she said. “It sounded like a shotgun.”
Workers said the plant, which makes ventilation systems for commercial kitchens, contains flammable gases, such as propane and other accelerants.
“There’s some gas inside and insulation,” said Quincy Hopkins, who has been with the company for five years. “There’s some stuff that would start a fire and keep it going.”
Fire investigators had not determined a cause of the fire before press time.
“I saw the fire along a back wall (in the middle of the building) and it was fully engulfed,” said Toraine Burwell, who has worked at the company for more than three years.
“They pulled the alarm and everyone got out of there,” he said. “Luckily, nobody was hurt.”
The plant contains propane, other fuels, chemicals and insulation and other materials that could have wreaked havoc, Burwell said.
He said the company has some of the same kinds of flammable materials that were inside the West Pharmaceutical Services plant in Kinston. A fire there at the rubber-manufacturing plant in January 2003 took six lives.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Burwell said.
As it was, the Youngsville plant’s workers evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
“We perform training for evacuations and it worked well,” said Csaba Sikur, the plant’s manager.
“Everyone is accounted for and they are safe and sound.”
Fire crews from Youngsville, Franklinton, Louisburg and Wake Forest responded.
Also, members of the state Forestry Service responded because the fire was inside and outside of the building.
Wind gusts fueled a grass fire behind the building, but it was quickly contained, fire officials said.
Youngsville Fire Lt. Andy Dudash, the commander on scene, said the first plan of action was attacking the fire.
“They were in the process of evacuating when we got here,” Dudash said of the quick-acting workers.
Once the blaze was under control, a team of firefighters went in to make certain no one else was inside.
“The scene was all clear,” Dudash said.
After that, firefighters, the fire marshal and investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office started looking into the cause.
“Right now, we’re not 100 percent sure,” Dudash said.
Office of Emergency Services Director Randy Likens said companies such as CaptiveAire are required to notify surrounding fire departments and emergency responding organizations about the types of materials they have on site.
Also, Likens said, responders routinely visit sites so they are familiar with the layout for better response in emergencies.
“(Fire departments) have pre-plans at all the facilities in Franklin County so they know in advance how to get in, where they are and where they are going,” Likens said.
“They have those so they know where the hazardous materials are located.”
As the blaze died down, some workers had already left as management shut down for the day.
They were told to call the company to get updates on when they would be able to get back into production. |
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Ready to show just what it takes
Faces that will become even more familiar to county residents are instructors, from left, front: Kenny Harp, Justin Hastings, Allen Batchelor, Bryan Gupton, Andy Ayscue and Ralph Almkuist; back, from left: Nathaniel Rinker, Daniel Wester, Wayne Daniels, Kevin White, Billy Brewer and Bennett Manson. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office) |
Sheriff’s Citizen Academy looking for a few good men and women
The time is now to get a first-hand, inside look into the world of law enforcement.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has opened applications for residents to join the county’s first Citizen Academy, which begins March 24.
The eight-session academy is not to train residents to perform police duty but to give them a comprehensive understanding of what officers do and in turn open communications between the department and the community, Crime Prevention Deputy Bennett Manson said.
| Sheriff’s Citizen Academy looking for a few good men and women | By: KATHY HARRELSON, Managing Editor
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| The time is now to get a first-hand, inside look into the world of law enforcement.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has opened applications for residents to join the county’s first Citizen Academy, which begins March 24.
The eight-session academy is not to train residents to perform police duty but to give them a comprehensive understanding of what officers do and in turn open communications between the department and the community, Crime Prevention Deputy Bennett Manson said.
Topics include gangs, domestic violence, crime prevention, evidence collecting and intervention programs.
“We want to strengthen the relationships between the citizens and the Sheriff’s Department,” Manson said. “This is an opportunity for the deputies to be on a more personal basis with those they serve ... not just as a face but as an individual.”
Manson is organizing the academy akin to one he did in Hillsborough as a deputy there.
There is a written application to fill out to provide general information, and there is a questionnaire that gauges the applicant’s interest and goals in joining the academy.
Another goal is to get residents to see how they can incorporate the roles of the Sheriff’s Office into their own neighborhoods and communities for safer living, Manson said.
“The academy will give them a better idea of how to assist (the deputies) and what they can do.
“This is not to teach them how to be officers. It is for anyone who is concerned about the well-being of their community,” Manson said. “We hope to educate them on policy procedures.”
Selection Procedure & Requirements
Applicants must:
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Live or work within the county of Franklin. First preference is given to residents of Franklin County.
• Complete a questionnarie and liability waiver form.
• Be willing to ride with a deputy during routine patrol.
• Attend at least six of the eight meetings of the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.
At this point enrollment in not limited; Manson said he wants as many participants as possible.
The academy will wrap up with a graduation cereony, he added.
The Schedule of Sessions
The following is a schedule of the sessions:
• Tuesday, March 24: 6-6:30 p.m., welcome, Deputy B. Manson; 6:30-8 p.m. - Patrol techniques/procedures, Sgt. A.R. Roberts.
• Tuesday, March 31: 6-8 p.m., domestic violence, Deputy Nathaniel Rinker and Sgt. Justin Hastings.
• Tuesday, April 7: 6-7 p.m., civil service, Sgt. Bryan Gupton; 7-8 p.m., warrant service, Deputy Allen Batchelor.
• Saturday, April 18: 8-9 a.m., K-9 demonstration, Sgt. Andy Ayscue and Cero (K9); 9-10 a.m., pro-pat/physical fitness exercise, Deputy Daniel Wester.
• Tuesday, April 21: 6-8 p.m., dealing with juveniles and intervention programs, Cpl. Kenny Harp.
• Tuesday, April 28: 6-8 p.m., criminal investigations, Detective Billy Brewer and Detective Kevin White
• Tuesday, May 5: 6-7 p.m., crime prevention/community watch, Deputy B. Manson; 7-8 p.m., gang awareness, gang Detective Wayne Daniels.
• Tuesday, May 14: 6-7 p.m., evidence collection, Detective Ralph Almkuist; 7-8 p.m., certification presentation, Deputy Manson.
The sessions will be at the Franklin County Administrative Building, county commissioners’ room, unless further notified.
Applications are at the Sheriff’s Office in Louisburg, the satellite Sheriff’s Office in Youngsville, each branch of the Franklin County Library and at the Hess/Wilco station in Franklinton.
For more information, contact Manson at 496-2186.
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Dial 911: they really do make house calls By: Kathy Harrelson The business of emergency services in Franklin County is in many hands.
To a large extent it goes beyond budget crunches that have every agency trying to find ways to cut back and manage operations as the population grows here, although there are significant dollar commitments needed immediately for communications shortfalls.
In Franklin County, the heart and soul of fire and rescue service depends on the workers and volunteers, and the demand is only increasing.
Calls for fire and rescue services have more than doubled in the last five years, with the county emergency communications taking 6,452 calls in 2008.
Here is the break-down for last year’s calls: Bunn Rescue, 1,526; Franklinton Rescue, 885; Louisburg Rescue, 1,682; Youngsville Rescue, 982 and White Level Rescue, 506.
I was more than happy to be part of the recent county rescue association monthly meeting, invited by Scott Strickland, to talk about public awareness for the group.
The squads rotate hosting a meeting, and this month it was in Franklinton.
I was especially happy to get some great grilled BBQ chicken, especially knowing I usually don’t get to experience that one-of-a-kind Franklinton Rescue grill touch, one of the best in the county, until the annual Fun in the Sun event. (That’s May 16 this year, and plates will be $7 at the station, by the way.)
I have enormous respect for these men and women, as I do for law enforcement in the same vein, and I heard a lot of concerns expressed from them that do tie in with budget and monetary woes, but much more attention was going to how they could serve residents better.
A lot, as I heard it, depends also on the public as users of 911 and as folks who need help when we find ourselves in troubled times — injury, sickness or disaster.
I was very surprised to hear that many, many residents do not use the 911 system to the best advantage.
Far too many people actually bring an injured person directly to the rescue buildings — which are not staffed full time 24-hours.
They think rescue workers will be there, only they come to an empty building.
Doing this loses a lot of critical time — minutes in which a rescuer could be saving a life.
The association has a goal of an eight-minute response time anywhere in the county. The average realized is much shorter. That’s pretty strong.
It would take a good many of us eight minutes just to get a sick or injured person into a car and get on the road in the right direction.
The overwhelming message from the association is to call 911 without pause or hesitation.
“We make house calls,” several members said over and over.
Again, call 911.
You would have never thought that getting people to call 911 would be such an issue, but they identified it as one of the very top problems they have to deal with.
More For Us To Do
But the effort on the callers side does not end there.
Here are a few tips they shared:
• Be calm. Even though you have called 911, your location might not be clear. You need to say exactly where you are and then listen to the questions that will be asked about the situation.
Giving the dispatcher details allows the rescue workers to go in and know what they are facing. It also gives time for expert teams — perhaps diving or extraction — to be called in, saving valuable time. (Note: you’ll be reading more about these specialty units in upcoming editions).
Even though you are stressed, stay on the phone and listen to the instructions from the dispatcher.
You are going to be scared and frustrated, yes. But stay on the line and answer all the questions as best you can.
• Put up pets. When the rescue workers arrive, they need to move fast and freely. Make sure outside animals are restrained and place inside animals out of the way.
Even moving furniture back for a clear path of entry and exit can help.
• Keep a list of medicines that are being taken by each member of the household handy. Put them on the refrigerator or by the phone way before any situation arises.
Include any known allergies and conditions. This gives the rescue workers quick information about the patient’s health that could also help in a rescue effort.
• Make sure there are big, bold letters/numbers identifying your home location, and don’t just have the ID in one spot. Put it on the mailbox, a fence and directly on the house.
Don’t just say you’ll “put the porch light on.” Rescue workers get to a neighborhood at night, and half the area is lit up with porch lights. Turning the light off and on to send a signal and to stand out is a good idea, they said.
• If you have started to travel with the patient and are on a phone with a dispatcher, pull over and specifically identify your location so they can get to you. Time that you travel is time wasted away from being in the hands of the experts.
• On the scene of an accident or rescue event, be sensitive. Back away and allow the workers to do their jobs. They will inform you as soon as the victim is safe.
These tips are ones you need to think of before you are in an emergency situation.
It will take some preparation, and these are tips that you might not have ever thought about but will make a huge difference in the rescue of someone in need.
Also, every squad is recruiting volunteers, and applications can be picked up at respective squads.
I hope there are some folks out there right now who can see a good fit into this group of outstanding public servants who are out there for all of us every minute of every day by dialing 911.
And remember, do — definitely — dial 911 first and foremost.
To every rescue official in Franklin County, thanks for all you do day after day, night after night.
And to county commissioners who are trying to get a solid, balanced budget, please put public safety for the citizens of Franklin County at the top of your list when considering the need for improved 911 communications, which is simply necessary to protect and save lives | | | | | | | | | | |
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| GLISTENING. The snowfall, the ice and the rushing water all made for a beautiful morning scene at Perry’s Mill Pond outside of Bunn Monday. (Times photo by Kathy Harrelson) |
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Snow and bitter-cold temperatures combined earlier this week to close schools and cancel meetings.
Fortunately, said emergency services personnel, the late-winter storm only caused scheduling problems.
“We didn’t have any major issues,” said Emergency Services Director Randy Likens.
“There were sporadic power outages, but no widespread problems.”
The storm passed through the area early Monday, dropping several inches of snow.
Some areas received a dusting to another inch Monday night.
That, coupled with temperatures in the teens overnight Monday, forced schools to close on Monday and Tuesday.
Those days will be made up on March 13 and June 10, said Franklin County Schools spokesman Nathan Moreschi.
If for some reason school was closed today, the makeup day would be April 17 — the last day of spring break.
A black-ice advisory for Monday evening forced county officials to cancel Monday night’s commissioners’ meeting, which included a 6 p.m. joint session with school board members to discuss the school bond package funding.
The county also operated on a two-hour delay on Monday and Tuesday.
The commission has tentatively set a joint meeting date with the school board on next Thursday, March 12.
The storm forced the town of Bunn to have its meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, rather than the regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting. Town Clerk Judy Jeffreys said the town had some paperwork and documents that needed immediate attention.
“We called an emergency, earlier, hope-you-can-make-it meeting,” she said Monday, hours before the meeting was held. “We have some things that have got to be done.”
The minor inconvenience the storm caused for municipal and county government was equaled by the effect it had on roadways and wrecks.
Sgt. J.D. Henderson of the state Highway Patrol said the patrol responded to plenty of wreck calls on Monday, but none have been severe or life-threatening.
“Knock on wood, it’s been pretty good,” he said Monday afternoon. “Certainly, we’ve worked worse.”
The roads were a lot clearer on Tuesday.
Maintenance crews with the state Department of Transportation went out Sunday evening, placing salt and sand on as many roadways as possible.
They were out until 4 p.m on Monday, staff said, and a skeleton crew remained through Tuesday morning.
A crew went to the White Level area because of a late snow shower and put down salt and sand in that area, as well.
There were no reports of black ice in Franklin County on Tuesday, DOT staff said.
The state Highway Patrol reported similar results because of improved roadways.
Troopers expected road conditions to deteriorate between Monday evening and Tuesday morning because of black ice concerns, but that did not materialize in the county.
Road conditions were not expected to be any kind of problem today as the high is expected to be near 50 degrees.
Meteorologists were expecting temperatures in the ‘60s on Thursday and Friday.
The high for Saturday is expected to be 74 degrees. | | | | |
County staff to ask for EMS delay
By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
County staff will ask commissioners to delay an expansive emergency communications upgrade project.
Earlier this month, county staff and officials learned that Piedmont Communications was unable to procure a performance bond — essentially a financial guarantee against its work — to provide the $3 million upgrade.
Piedmont cited the souring financial market as the reason they were unable to secure a performance bond.
County staff met with members of the county’s 911 Advisory Committee three times this month to figure out a plan of action.
The committee recommended rebidding the project as soon as possible; develop separate proposals to upgrade two other towers in the county, and investigate recouping $25,000 Piedmont used for consultant fees per its bid bond.
On Monday night, county staff plans to recommend that county commissioners delay the project until economic conditions improve.
In the meantime, the county could make improvements to the system, on an interim basis, with the advisory committee’s input.
The proposed $3 million upgrade represents the second time in recent memory that Franklin County has moved to address the problem.
In the early 2000s, the county spent $700,000 to upgrade the system to address dead spots within the system.
Cary-based Radio Communications Co. made upgrades, however, their system did not adequately address the county’s problem.
The county’s topography has been one of the biggest issues, as it creates pockets of inadequate or no service — particularly in some areas to the north and southeast.
Last year, a committee of fire, rescue and other emergency responders met with consultants so that their needs were fully understood before the project was put out to bid.
Now, the project is in limbo. Contract falls short of giving coverage | By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer |
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TOWER OF BABBLE. This tower was erected years ago as part of an attempt to improve emergency communications across the county. It was an improvement, but it does not provide the coverage the county needs. (Times photo by Carey Johnson) |
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Franklin County staff is expected to recommend how to address the county’s inadequate communications system at the board’s next meeting.
During a closed session on Monday night, commissioners were advised that Piedmont Communications could not obtain a performance bond — essentially a financial guarantee from bank or surety company that Franklin County would get a radio system that provides 95 percent coverage 95 percent of the time.
County Manager Angela Harris, Finance Director Chuck Murray, County Attorney Darnell Batton and Emergency Communications Director Christy Shearin met with members of the county’s 911 Advisory Committee on Tuesday looking for solutions.
County Attorney Darnell Batton said he is responsible for making sure the county gets what it pays for.
“We want to draw up a contract that makes sure that what is promised and awarded gives us what we’re paying for — 95 percent coverage 95 percent of the time,” Batton said.
Short of a performance bond, a letter of credit could be an option, county staff said.
Piedmont told county staff it could not obtain a performance bond for the $3 million project because of the poor economy.
A letter of credit, issued by a bank or financial institution, would authorize the county to draw amounts of money up to a specified total, consistent with any terms and conditions set forth in the letter — such as making sure the county gets the coverage it desires.
General statutes require that a contractor secure a performance bond for projects more than $300,000, but Batton is researching whether the emergency 911 communications project is exempt.
“The options are to delay the project until the economy improves and performance bonds are reasonably attainable, or find a means of moving forward without a bond or (using a) letter of credit,” Batton said. “Moving forward without a performance bond would have to be a judgement call by commissioners on what risk they are willing to take.”
Murray said either a performance bond or letter of credit provides the county with assurances. Anything less could be problematic.
“Obviously, a letter of credit is the strongest (guarantee),” Murray said. “A performance bond requires the bidder to purchase insurance in case their performance doesn’t come out as desired.
“There are a couple more options, as well,” Murray said. “They would not offer a guarantee that you get what you’re asking for unless you had other protections.”
Members of the county’s 911 Advisory Committee said they are disappointed by any delays, however, they have put considerable input into making sure they get a project that addresses inadequate and, in some cases, no coverage at all.
“The 911 board is interested in moving forward with the project,” said Shearin. “We want to have a recommendation to commissioners at the Feb. 16 board meeting.” | | | |
Communications upgrade hits dead zone with bidder | By: CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
| | | Franklin County responders should expect a delay in improvements to the county’s emergency communications.
Following a closed session on Monday night, the county’s Board of Commissioners directed County Manager Angela Harris, County Attorney Darnell Batton and Emergency Communications Director Christy Shearin to meet with the county’s first responders to discuss the matter.
The county’s 911 Advisory Committee was slated to meet on Tuesday night at the Bunn Fire House.
Staff said representatives with Piedmont Communications in Durham advised the county that they could not obtain a performance bond for a project designed to provide 95 percent coverage 95 percent of the time.
Piedmont Communications, which was the sole bidder, declined comment for this story.
A performance bond is a surety bond issued by an insurance company or a bank to guarantee satisfactory completion of a project by a contractor.
If the project could not be done to the county’s satisfaction, the holder of the performance bond would be liable for its completion at their own cost.
It was not clear why the company could not receive such a bond, but this is the second time that the county has tried to address coverage issues.
The county’s topography has been one of the biggest issues, as it creates pockets of inadequate or no service — particularly in some areas to the north and southeast.
In the early 2000s, the county spent $700,000 to upgrade the system to address dead spots within the system.
Cary-based Radio Communications Co. made upgrades, however, that system did not adequately address the county’s problem.
The past few years, a committee of fire, rescue and other emergency responders met with consultants so that their needs were fully understood before the project was put out to bid.
The system that Piedmont was expected to install would cost about $3 million, and commissioners this time around asked for all assurances — such as holding back money — to make certain they got what they paid for.
The project might have to be rebid, which could create significant delays since Piedmont was the only bidder the last go-round.
“(This recent news) is a concern,” said Mark Stone, president of the county’s firefighter’s association.
The concern, though, Stone said, does not override the association’s desire to have an efficient system.
“Our primary issue is getting it done right,” Stone said. “If it means a longer delay, that’s what it will be.”
When bids were revealed, county staff said they did not receive more than one bid because most in the industry understood how difficult it would be to provide the service the county needs. Stone said it’s particularly difficult to get pager service in the Pilot area, and White Level and Centerville. And the eastern part of the county poses its own problems with hills and valleys.
“The system we have now is just not efficient enough,” Stone said. |
I need everyone’s help with CON ED scheduling When a provider wishes to attend a CON ED class on a Saturday at the EOC, I need the provider to call or email the training office and sign up for that class. This should be done one week prior to the class. For the Wednesday classes at the EOC and the classes being taught at the departments there is no need to call and sign up. This will assist with planning instructors and equipment. Chiefs please be sure and let your members know about this. There has been some confusion regarding the transport of dialysis patients. Dr. Fowlkes has requested that when EMS providers are assessing a dialysis patient, If the patient is stable; the crew will contact medical control and advise medical control of the assessment findings prior to transporting. The Medical Control physician then will make the decision as to where the patient should be transported. If the patient is unstable the patient should be transported to the closest medical facility. The EMS provider should be prepared to give a good report to the medical control physician. This will be in the form of a written protocol. Any questions please contact the training office. Thank You Jeff Bright Training Officer Franklin County Emergency Services 8146 NC 56 Hwy Louisburg NC 27549 919-496-5005 office 919-340-3118 cell   Dear EMS Provider: As a reminder, WakeMed is a smoke free facility. This includes the grounds surrounding the hospital. Recently, there have been complaints about EMS providers in uniform smoking on the sidewalks in front of the hospital. I appreciate that smoking is a personal choice, however, please remind your staff that it is not permitted on any WakeMed Campus. We hold all patient's, visitors, and staff to this standard. Any assistance you could provide to stop this practice would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, David S Bowen RN EMS Liaison, Emergency Department WakeMed Health and Hospitals 2000 New Bern Ave. Raleigh NC 27610 350-7119 Pager (919) 393-0835 |
