Improved 911 system to be installed

A Washington company submitted the apparent low bid for installing an improved 911 emergency calling system for Boundary County.

Valence Wireless and Communications of Greenacres offered to installed the Enhanced 911 system for $147,070. County commissioners tabled bids until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, so the sheriff’s department can review them.

Voters more than two years ago agreed to add a $1 surcharge on every phone line in Boundary County to pay for the system. Commissioner had the option to add 25 more cents, for a total of $1.25 per line.

By approving the fee, the county stands to receive $250,000 to $300,000 for the new 911 system, which will allow for quicker responses during emergencies. That money, which is expected to come from the state, will cover the cost of providing the equipment for establishing an Enhanced 911 system.

The monthly $1 surcharge is included for all telephone lines, cell phones and Internet telephone connections in the county. The $60,000 generated annually from the $1 fee billed to telephone lines will be used to maintain and operate the 911 system.

The sheriff’s office serves as a dispatch center for firefighters, police and ambulance personnel. The current 911 system requires that a caller tell the dispatcher the location of the emergency. If a caller falls unconscious or cannot talk, it can take up to 20 minutes to trace the call to find out its origin.

With Enhanced 911, dispatchers are provided with the name, address and telephone number from where the call is made. In addition, a map shows the location from which the call was made and location of the nearest emergency responder available.

The county is somewhat set up for Enhanced 911. That involved the process of assigning 3,800 new addresses to residents.

Enhanced 911 system should be available sometime this year, sheriff Greg Sprungl said.