Consolidation Proposed of Joplin, Jasper County 911 Call Centers
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: January 2, 2013
Carthage, MO-- Two local 911 call centers are discussing a plan which could cut hundreds of thousands of dollars off budget costs... and potentially save lives. Joplin Police Chief Lane Roberts is proposing consolidating the Joplin 9-1-1 call center with the Jasper County call center.
The two operations spend nearly $4 million a year dispatching emergency calls - a total he says that could be reduced by half a million dollar or more. The plan would move Joplin dispatchers to the Carthage site - with costs shared by the two agencies.
Roberts said, "There's savings to the budget, there's operational efficiencies that benefit public safety, benefit the public safety responders. In every regard, in every element of our two operations right now, it saves where they need to and is enhanced where they need to."
The proposal got first round approval by the Jasper County Emergency Services Board and will now go to the Joplin city council for review. The measure would not be finalized until details are finalized and a contract approved.
