FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hershman: Bill to consolidate county 911
call centers moves to governor’s desk
(STATEHOUSE) – One of the only recommendations from Kernan Shepherd Commission to pass the General Assembly was amended into a House bill by Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield). HB1204 was amended by Hershman in the Senate to mandate the consolidation of 911 dispatch centers statewide to a maximum of two per county by the end of 2014. HB passed the Senate 47-0 and the House 83-13 on the last day of the legislative session.
“The reforms contained in HB1204 will increase government efficiency, save tax dollars, and help emergency services agencies free up funds to invest in the latest technology. It will save money and it could save lives,” Hershman said.
Hershman, who chairs the Senate Utilities and Regulatory Affairs committee, introduced legislation after a study by the General Assembly revealed that some counties contained as many as 17 different dispatch centers.
“Many counties, including some of our largest, have seen the wisdom of consolidating emergency dispatch. But some have refused to recognize the need for change. HB1204 will put them on the path to a much needed reform.”
A sampling of counties who have already, or are in the process of implementing reform include Vanderburgh, Hendricks, Kosciusko and Allen.
Hershman pointed to a tragic situation in which emergency personnel dispatch was routed among multiple agencies, allegedly slowing critical response time. "A problem exists when a 911 call gets transferred two or three times before it is directed to the right place. In an emergency there isn’t time for inefficiencies."
Earlier this year, a Carmel mother and her three daughters died when their van slipped off a snow-covered road and slid into a pond. Batul Abbas, the mother, called 911 but three dispatch centers in Hamilton County notified various emergency personnel, allegedly confusing rescue efforts before rescue divers arrived
HB1204 also provides for updates to Indiana’s emergency alert system and requires a study of the funding structure of 911 centers. Hershman plans to offer legislation next year to improve and stabilize emergency dispatch funding needs next year. He thanked State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, the Indiana Association of Counties, the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Tippecanoe County Sherriff Tracy Brown for their cooperation and leadership on the bill.
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Hershman represents Senate District 7, which include Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties. |
