Vote to save lives

Seconds save lives. I make this statement based on my experiences over the past 15 years as a 911 dispatcher for both large and small agencies. I have worked for Flathead County 911 for the past 4 1/2 years.

Time is not a luxury we are afforded as dispatchers. Life and death decisions many times need to be made in seconds. Our current system is outdated and results in delays while callers are transferred to different law enforcement agencies in the county, depending on where the emergency is taking place.

The caller must then start explaining the nature of the emergency all over again with a new dispatcher. This is not only a frustration but has created a lack of procedural standardization between agencies, resulting in different levels of response.

Flathead County is one of the largest counties in Montana and the second-fastest growing county. We are not a “small” county anymore and have outgrown our current location along with our method of operation. We need to expand our public safety services to provide a more consistent quality of service on a more consistent basis.

The upcoming bond issue asks voters to approve funding for a new dispatch center that would consolidate all law enforcement agencies, as well as fire and ambulance services, into one location.

While the $6.9 million funding amount may seem large, it is nothing in comparison to Missoula County 911 which is asking taxpayers for an additional $16 million to add to the $8 million that has already been set aside to fund their new center.

Money is tight right now for all of us, and we really need to pick and choose what we spend our tax dollars on very carefully. For the price of a few fancy coffee drinks, you may be saving the life of a family member or neighbor. This is an important issue that affects all of us, and you may be the next person that needs to call 911.

Michelene Provo

911 dispatch supervisor

Flathead County 911