Volunteer Fire Chief’s Meeting Hosted In New Emergency Operations Center

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: May 17 2017 4:20 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:  On Tuesday evening the 17 Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief’s came together for their monthly meeting.

At the invitation of DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS JUDAH the fire chief’s met at the new Emergency Operations Center.

The Chief’s held their meeting and discussed business issues pertaining to the 17 Volunteer Fire Departments. Following the meeting, Amy Elliot - Second Shift Supervisor of Dothan Communications Center and Bart Blackmon - Houston County Sheriff Communications Center gave a brief description of the centers. 

The fireman were shown the Emergency Management Offices where the meeting was held. After the brief presentation by Ms. Elliot the fire chiefs were shown the 911 center and how information flows. How calls are received and what the communications officers undertake.

The Houston County Sheriff Communications Center is expected to move from the old to the new later this month. The fire chief’s were shown the new sheriff communications center and the radio consoles which are in place.

The City of Dothan - Houston County Communications District Board constructed a joint Emergency Operations Center. That facility houses the administrative offices of the 911 Board, the communications centers for Dothan Police - Dothan Fire - Houston County Sheriff Department - Houston County Volunteer Fire, Houston County EMS and the Emergency Operations Center of Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Center.

Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver and Houston County Commissioner Doug Sinqfield were on hand for the meeting.

CITY OF DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT BOARD

The City of Dothan - Houston County Communications District Board is governed by a board of nine. Those are Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish, Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams, Houston County Volunteer Fire Association Chief Dana Watts, Dothan Public Works Director Jerry Corbin, Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah, Dothan businessman Jason Rudd, Dothan businessman Rickey Stokes, and Pilcher Ambulance Owner Joey Pilcher.

The board selects a Chairman of the board each year. Presently serving as Chairman is Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams.

This 9 member board is the employing authority of three people; 911 Director Holly Brittan, a mapping specialist and building specialist.

The Dothan Fire and Police communications staff are employees of the City of Dothan who work under Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish. The Houston County Sheriff Department communications staff who handles the Sheriff dispatch, volunteer fire/EMS dispatch all work under Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza.

The Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Office work under the direction of Emergency Management Director Chris Judah.

The 911 board was all members of the Dothan City Commission and two Houston County Commissioners. This board and the Advisory Board has worked for several years to construct this modern facility to better serve all of the citizens of Dothan and Houston County.

Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz and Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver were two strong voices in making this become a reality.

This center belongs to all people of Houston County: citizens of Dothan, Kinsey, Webb, Columbia, Gordon, Ashford, Cowarts, Cottonwood, Rehobeth, Taylor and all unincorporated areas of this great county. It is your connection for emergencies.

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