Ohio County 911 In Need Of Dispatchers
Trending
WHEELING - The Ohio County 911 is sounding out an emergency call for dispatchers.
Director Rick Pritt told county commissioners Tuesday he typically has a staff of 16 dispatchers, but six of those dispatchers have moved on in recent weeks.
There have been four new hires, with two now in training and the other two yet to start, he reported.
"That still leaves me two short," Pritt said. "For future knowledge, I do have (another) one that is planning to retire sometime in November."
Commission President Zach Abraham said he hopes the staffing gets settled soon.
"I know you can't control things like retirements and illnesses," he told Pritt.
Pritt said he did look into the "GetResQ911" services that places trained temporary dispatchers with departments needing to fill positions, similar to hospitals hiring traveling nurses.
But the price for the service was exorbitant, he explained.
"For two people, for a six-month coverage, you're looking at approximately $160,000 - which as you know is financially not supportable right now," Pritt told commissioners.
He instead said he has reached out to neighboring counties for assistance.
"Marshall County and a couple of its guys have agreed to fill in part-time any shifts that they can," Pritt said.
Also during Monday's commission meeting, commissioners approved community grants for the following groups and events: $500 for the Auggie 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Ohio County Animal Shelter; $150 for the Wheeling YMCA for youth programs; $150 for the Seeing Hand Association's 80th anniversary events; and $150 for a YWCA Wheeling mega-bingo sponsorship.
Robert Luchetti Jr. was appointed to fill the unexpired term of his father Robert Sr. on the Ohio County Public Service District.
The commissioners will next meet at 8 a.m. on Oct. 6 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.