Voters will be asked to support $1 surcharge for 911

The first 911 call was made from Alabama in 1968. The technology they used then is the same that Boundary County still uses today.

That is why residents will be asked to support a $1 phone bill surcharge during the Nov. 4 General Election. The money would go toward a $250,000 upgrade of the 911 system.

When someone calls 911, a dispatcher only hears the voice of the caller. If the callers is unable to speak, it takes 10 to 20 minutes to trace the call.

“Boundary County is one of four Idaho counties that does not have the Enhanced 911 system,” State 911 president Eddie Goldsmith told Bonners Ferry City Council during a recent meeting.

If upgraded, 911 dispatchers will receive the caller's name, address and the agency that would respond.

The dollar surcharge will be a monthly per phone line fee, which includes residential phones, cell phones and voice over IP lines.

“I wasn't aware this was going on,” said councilman Dave Gray. “It's a shocker and it needs to stop. Something needs to be done soon.”

“We need to educate the public so they can make an educated decision,” said Goldsmith. “We have a big job ahead of us, but we can do it.”