Sommer Woodward
Several emergency agencies throughout the state are expressing interest in the new 911 Center.
During a Mayes Emergency Service Trust Authority Board meeting, Director Rick Langkamp said several agencies are looking at the 911 Center as a model for their
community.
The $80,500 building is constructed as a safe room. The building is made with 8 inch thick cement walls and ceilings. The building continues 18 inches into the ground. The building is rated to sustain an F4 or F5 tornado.
“I’m not sure I want to be the one to test the building for that,”
joked Brandon Hawkins, Communications Supervisor. “If that
happens, God forbid, we’ll still be here.”
Hawkins said the idea was for the 911 Center to maintain service in disastrous situations. The idea of creating a sturdier and safer structure for the 911 Center developed after Mayes County suffered several disasters in less than one year.
Partial funding of $68,000 was approved through an Oliver Dewey “Jock” Mayor Foundation grant to construct the facility. The remainder of the cost was paid through the fees from the wireless 911 tax.
The building was constructed just east of the MESTA building in the MidAmerica Industrial Park.
The 911 Center employs six full-time dispatchers, three part-time dispatchers. The center is staffed 24/7 most days of the week. Hawkins said the goal is to have two dispatchers on duty at all times, but that depends on the budget.
The 911 Center was constructed with an additional room which can house emergency management during a disaster. Hawkins said the 911 Center handles 911 calls for the entire county, except the land lines in the city of Pryor.
Construction began in August and was completed in October. The move from inside the MESTA building to the new 911 building was complete in October.
The MESTA Board purchased an additional tower which allows the 911 Center to remain operational in disasters. In case the tower used by the 911 Center and sheriff’s office goes down, the 911 Center can switch to the other tower to keep communications up.
Hawkins said the biggest benefit to the community in having a separate 911 Center in the safe building is emergency services will stay operational during disasters.
