Changes to 911 System Proposed in Dyer Co.
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Dyer County wants to make a big technology leap in the way emergency dispatchers send information about calls out to their officers. The new technology system is called “CAD Mobile Data” project and uses wireless Internet to send information typed in by dispatchers, directly to officers in their patrol cars. “It’ll be a simple fix for that but it also gives the patrol officer the ability to not tie up radio traffic being able to run wants and warrants, drivers licenses, car tags, without getting on the radio,” says Jeff Burns. Burns says this will help keep officers safer because they’ll know more about the call before arriving at the scene, and will allow dispatchers to focus more on emergency calls. Dyer County E911 board members say the new system isn’t cheap. The estimated total is more than $800,000, which must come from the Dyer County 911 funds. This is why officials say 911 service could cost everyone in Dyer County a few cents more, increasing monthly costs to about 10 cents for individuals and 50 cents for business lines. Records show Dyer County has the second lowest 911 rate in West Tennessee. This would be their first increase since 1988. Board members say they will have another meeting this month to make some final decisions, but it’ll be up to the state to finalize the 911 rate increase.
