By Alan Rusch
Ellsworth County Independent Reporter – November 21, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – November 26, 2013
Ellsworth County Sheriff Tracy Ploutz discussed concerns regarding his dispatch service at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commission.
Commissioners said area fire chiefs questioned at the November 12 meeting why they were not receiving nightly test pages. Concerns were also raised that on another occasion, law enforcement was dispatched on an emergency call while fire departments and emergency medical personnel were not.
The fire chiefs suggested dispatch personnel needed more training.
Ploutz was out of town on training November 12 and was unable to attend the commission meeting.
Commissioner Terry Kueser asked Ploutz if there was a basis for the fire chiefs’ concerns.
Ploutz said when he has been at the sheriff’s department at night he has heard dispatch send out the test pages. On several occasions, he has sent out the pages himself.
Ploutz said if the fire chiefs have a problem with the sheriff’s department, they should put their concerns in writing, provide specific times and dates, sign it, and send the letter to him so it can be addressed.
“Otherwise, I’m not going to do anything,” Ploutz said.
Ploutz said if the fire chiefs aren’t carrying their pagers, they aren’t going to hear the test page.
“I’ve always taken care of things when they were brought to my attention,” Ploutz said.
Ploutz said he is actively recruiting additional dispatchers since he is short-staffed.
“You have this board’s support for whatever you need,” Kueser said. “Dispatch is vital to the county.”
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