Officials to restart 911 panel

The idea is to simplify the process for wireless callers who need such services.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners are expected today to reactivate the countywide 911 planning committee to free up $300,000 being held in escrow and address a problem with wireless emergency calls.
Anthony Carson, county administrator, said Tuesday that the state is holding the money until the county comes up with a plan for its 911 center in Howland to manage such wireless communications.
Currently, if a person dials 911 on a cellular phone, the call automatically rings into the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Southington post. The post then notifies the 911 center, but the call comes in to the center on a designated cell phone line -- not an emergency line.
The money would be used to set up a way for these wireless 911 calls to come straight to the center, for dispatching of emergency services in participating jurisdictions. Trumbull County 911 answers calls for 20 townships, the sheriff's department and Cortland and Orangeville.
Getting others on board
Carson said the committee will also look at attracting communities to join the county emergency call system and review how much each community should be charged for the service.
The planning committee was last convened in 1998. At that time the county had to allocate more money to 911, and Warren and Liberty townships were permitted to pull out of the system.
Also ongoing is a search to find a new 911 director. Tim Gladis was fired from his $62,567 annual job in July. One of the reasons was because Florida-based RRC Consultants Inc. -- hired by the commissioners -- reported there was no plan to resolve the wireless problem.
Karen Davies, interim 911 director, said she was unaware the planning committee would be reconvened.
"I have enough on my plate," Davies said Tuesday, noting that she would probably be told of the commissioners' action at today's meeting. "I don't think they are hiding anything from me," she said, noting decisions such as the committee are being made by the commissioners' office.
A new director should be hired by commissioners the first of the year, Carson explained.
The composition of the committee is outlined in state statute. Its first meeting will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 22, in the commissioners' hearing room.
Serving will be Commissioner Daniel E. Polivka, representing the commissioners; Warren Mayor Michael J. O'Brien, mayor of the most populous city in the county; a Howland Township trustee (the largest township); a member selected by all township trustees; and the chief executive of a municipal corporation selected by the legislative authority of all municipalities in the county.
Other business
On another matter, commissioners won't be hiring a Cleveland law firm to conduct negotiations with sheriff's deputies until they hear from Sheriff Thomas Altiere.
Altiere has recommended that Johnson, Angelo & amp; Colaluca LLC be hired at $135 per hour for collective bargaining with more than 100 deputies who are members of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. Their contract expired Sept. 30.
Commissioner James Tsagaris questioned why local law firms couldn't be hired, reducing the cost of billable travel time. Tsagaris said he didn't want to make a decision until the sheriff provides more information.
James Keating, director of county human resources, said a law firm specializing in labor negotiations is needed.
Altiere said the law firm has previously been involved in labor negotiations at his department, and he believes that hiring the out-of-town firm saves the county money in the long run.
yovich@vindy.com