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County wants to split EMA, E911
Current director has choice of jobs, county saves $16K
Published Thursday, May 7, 2009
Plans are underway to end an agreement between the Covington County E911 Board and the county commission combining the positions of EMA and E911 director.
The commission has determined it is “not economically feasible or cost effective to continue the management of the two entities,” according to a proposed resolution presented to the E911 board by county administrator Brenda Petty Thursday.
Petty said the resolution is on Monday’s county commission agenda, and asked the board’s assistance in expediting the split.
“(The county is) in a financial position, and the savings (to the county when making the split) is substantial,” Petty said. “It’s more substantial that any other decision the county has made.”
Petty estimated the savings between $16,000 and $24,000. Currently, the county pays $600 each month for rent space in the E911 building. The county pays 70 percent of the EMA director’s salary; the E911 board, 30 percent; however, 50 percent of the EMA director’s salary is reimbursed by the state.
An agreement was signed April 18, 2000, merging the positions of director E911 and director of EMA. The agreement called for E911 to provide personnel, office space and administrative assistance as needed by EMA.
Once the split is agreed upon, the commission will move the EMA operations from the E911 building to the county administration building on Hillcrest Drive. The EMA director will then become a fulltime employee of the county, and a current county employee will be moved into the now-vacant position of part-time assistant director.
Petty said the current EMA/E911 director, Kristi Stamnes, has the option of “picking” which entity she would like to work for. If she chooses the county EMA position, she will be paid the 70-percent or her current salary paid by the county plus benefits. The benefits do not include a take-home vehicle. In the current arrangement, the E911 board provides the director a vehicle.
If Stamnes elects to remain as the E911 director, the EMA position must be filled, and the commission is shooting for a June deadline so that both directors would be in place before hurricane season begins, instead of the 90-day notice in the agreement, Petty said.
Cody Ward, 911 board chairman, said “We support the county commission, and we will do what we can do to help the county…. but I think for (the board) to move on this is putting the cart before the horse. (The commission) hasn’t voted on this and this is going to effect our budget significantly.”
Board member Wayne Godwin the E911 board is now in a position that it will have to hire a director.
“Regardless of whether (Stamnes) takes the position or not,” he said. “We’re going to have to do some adjusting to rehire a 911 director. That takes revenue.”
Ward said he felt the board needed time to revue its budget to determine how much it could pay a director.
“I understand the emergency, but we have to be sure our budget works,” he said.
Godwin and Ward agreed they would meet Monday afternoon “to go over the numbers” and present their findings at a special called meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Comments
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when, first, we practice to decieve?
Is this decision economically feasible, or is it politcally correct?? I assure that the Commission has not thought this one through! They have NO idea what sort of mess they are making for someone.
I don't know every detail about E-911/EMA, but what I do know is that E-911 is operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, EMA is not. Drive by their building during a hurricane and see how many vehicles are in the parking lot. Then, check and see how many of those vehicles belong to EMA employees. I'd say, at the most, TWO. The others are those of the 911 employees. What does this mean? Well, the obvious. Those 911 employess are working for EMA during storms. I'd bet your britches EMA doesn't pay those people, either! So, tell me this...who is going to take their slack?? I don't think that two people can handle it all. What about the weather sirens? Who will be responsible for them? More importantly, who is going to be there in the middle of the night when a tornado warning comes out? Myself, I like knowing when I need to take shelter BEFORE a storm. If something happens during the middle of the night, the director would have to drive from home just to set those weather sirens off. Let's say 15 minutes after the warning comes out, the sirens will be set off. That may be too late!!! I am so proud to know that the County Commission thinks so highly of their citizens, aren't you?!
Another thing, if a county employee is "moved" to the Assistant Director position, I'm sure it won't be on a volunteer basis. That means two things; that county employee would get a salary increase OR there will be a vacant position within the county, along with an additional salary. SO, just how much money will be saved....or for that matter, LOST?
There is more going on here than the county trying to save money. Someone is letting politics get in the way of reality. The only thing left to be said; You will lay in the bed you make!
Posted by Luke22 (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 4:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well put!!
Posted by proud_us_citizen (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The tornado warning sirens should not be affected; they are controlled by the E-911 dispatchers, not the EMA. The E-911 center is manned 24/7/365, so there will ALWAYS be someone there to activate the sirens.
EMA's primary job is to handle the planning and execution for handling a disaster situation.
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, everything pertaining to weather is the responsibility of EMA, not E911. The weather sirens ARE included in EMA responsibilities. E-911 is responsible for dispatching LEO, Fire, & EMS, and also for answering emergency calls. As you said, the sirens are controlled by the dispatchers, however, it is not listed under their job description. Controlled by E-911, yes, but only because they are operational 24/7 and the agencies are currently in the same building...NOT because it is their responsibility. EMA's primary job may be to handle the planning and execution for handling a disaster situation....BUT it isn't their ONLY job!
Posted by proud_us_citizen (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If that's the case, then perhaps they should hire someone who can actually do the job, instead of passing it off on everyone else.
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, whether they hire someone or the current director takes the position, someone is going to have a lot of problems. As I said before, currently, EMA is fortunate enough to have the E-911 dispatchers handle parts of their job because of them being available 24/7. Therein lies the problem...once they split, the EMA director will not be at the office 24/7 to do the things that the dispacthers currently do for them. Obviously, the commission hasn't thought about that.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brahahaha! Now that’s funny! The Queen going after the Princess! I have to hold off commenting on this one! But as someone said, POETIC JUSTICE! Two double dippers! Both need to go! That’s all for now, Kristi’s Crystal palace is about to get tarnished! Oh and since when has she been at the office 24/7? Re-write the dispacthers JD and be done with it. Less than 30k people in this county and we have another 6 digit figure payroll, How many more are out there?
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beanstalk, nobody said she was at the office 24/7. She isn't there, the dispatchers are...that's why they take care of EMA responsibilities. When they split, no one will be there to take care of the responsibilities...which will be a problem. If they re-write the dispatchers JD, they need to consider allocating more money for their wages rather than over paying those in charge.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well guess I will just have to add this, there is automation available to set the weather sirens off that is not that costly. Also the 911 dispatchers relay this information to all agencies anyways, to reach over and hit a witch should not require that much more of a pay increase if any. Some counties have the EMA setup similar to the Red Cross, One paid and the rest volunteers. That would work well with the EMA side. Of course this whole E911/EMA thing has been a who's who ever since it was established.
Posted by proud_us_citizen (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So, you're saying the dispatchers should be paid more for a job they already do? They already work for the interest of public safety and welfare, dispatching police/fire/rescue where it's needed. I would think the tornado siren-control fits nicely into that same category, since it affects the safety and well-being of the citizens of Covington County.
Besides, who says the EMA director has or should have the sole responsibility of being the one to activate those sirens? I believe the county itself (which oversees the EMA office) has more than one person with that authority. If they don't, then they need to. It would be foolish to have a single-point of failure in a situation like that.
For one thing, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that they need to activate the sirens when the NWS-Mobile calls E-911 and tells the dispatchers that there is an active tornado warning for Covington County.
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beanstalk, if it were that simple (reaching over and hitting a switch), it would be nice. But, as far as the automation, the county is trying to save money, so that option is out the window. Regardless of the responsibilities of each agency, I don't see where the county will be saving so much money.
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PUC, Mobile doesn't call E-911, they call EMA. I agree with what you're saying about not giving one person the sole repsonibility for EMA duties, however, that is exactly what is about to happen. That's why this is such a mess!
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The EMA Director in MOST counties is paid only for the time they are doing their job. This along with volunteers would save this county a large amount of money, now follow me here, Things to save the county money, The Queen needs to retire! The Princess needs to wear one hat and stop double dipping and third, the arena (Many have forgotten) and last but not least, the UNIT system needs to go away! Now with all that being said, I vote for Alan to be the EMA director! That boy knows his stuff and taught the Princess much of what she knows! Step up Alan!
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beanstalk, I couldn't agree more. I don't see a problem with having the same person as both E-911/EMA director, but the salary needs to assessed. EMA shouldn't pay 70 % while E-911 is paying the other 30 %. Though the article clearly states that 50% of the EMA director's salary is reimbursed, that salary should still be lessened. Like you said, pay that director for the time that they WORK! Maybe a part-time salary?
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beanstalk, I think you would agree that this split is being made because of budget issues...something more is going on.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Girlnextdoor, of course there is, I been saying it ever since I began posting here, Smoke and Mirrors! This commission is pitiful! The crooks we had in the past messed most of this up, but the ones we put in office are like blind mice. There is a very nice Dully Truck parked at the 911 building and a trailer somewhere, They are used when they are needed, as should our EMA director's pay should reflect. Hey who can blame anyone for double dipping, but when the money is not there we need to backup and repair the problem.
Posted by IVote (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember the day when someone was hired in Management and they didn't get the job done, they were fired! Guess that only applies to football coaches today! Prediction: Covington County voters clean house next election!!!
Posted by trueandalusia (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHY DONT THE COMMISSION TELL THE TRUTH THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THE BIG LAWSUIT IS COMING AND THEY WANT TO GET CLEAR. THE (DIRECTOR) HAS BEEN TREATING HER EMPLOYEES LIKE DIRT AND KEEPS RUNNING OFF THE HELP. SHE NEEDS TO BE GONE OR CUT DOWN A FEW NOTCHES. I THINK THE BOARD NEEDS TO TALK TO THERE EMPLOYEES AND THEY NEED TO OPEN THERE EYES AND SEE WHAT SHES DOING. I DONT WORK THERE BUT I KNOW THERE ARE SOME GREAT PEOPLE THERE. HOSTILE WORK ENVIROMENT = LAWSUIT I KNOW YALL ALL ARE GONNA THINK IM A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE BUT IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I WORKED THERE AND I DID NOT WORK FOR HER.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
E911 Lawsuits? Oh yea! They are looking at several of them! BIG TIME! The Princess has hidden her cards way to long. When she was given that job and I did say given, she was a secretary and no experience. I know several around here that would have fit the role with huge amounts of experience and provide a strong leadership. But as I said in my first post, it is a WHO's WHO! That e911 board needs a work over as well, Conflict of interest with several of them! Could that be why we have only ONE Ambulance service in our community? The hole gets deeper more RATS will scurry! This entire county needs a Clorox cleaning! The Good Ole Boy/Gal system has been here long enough!
TRUEANDALUSIA, you do post the truth! Who cares what your background and where you worked past or present, Heck who does Kristi's Daddy work for? And whom does a board member work for? Oh I can go on and on. My husband says a kudzu vine is straighter than these people! I surely hope that this BLOG can bring out the TRUTH so the people can VOTE with knowing the TRUTH! It’s been a few years since we have had the TRUTH be told!
Say Bye Bye Princess! I see your days are numbered now!
Alan where are you!
Posted by trueandalusia (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A GREAT SHOWING AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING
Posted by rustynail1 (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beanstalk, how many ambulance services do we need? It seems like the one here is doing their job. What makes you think we need more? I'm just curious, not trying to start a argument.
Posted by hambone (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alan who?
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are they doing their job? And how many ambulance services are too many? We had two here at one time, But The Princess and her pals made it to where they could not operate by not dispatching them. Now since when does a county entity have the right to stop another company from working in an area, If they are good enough for Opp I am sure they would be just as good here. Competition is a good thing! For the consumer. Don't you agree?
Posted by rustynail1 (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone thinks that "competition" is good for everything. That is true for alot of things. It usually benefits the consumer. That isn't always the case in the ambulance business. Our government regulates the amount of money that will be paid for services rendered by ambulance companies. The private insurance companies also pay only certain amounts. Take that, and start slicing the pie in a couple of pieces, what you wind up with is "2" ambulance services straving, cutting corners just to make it. I don't want that. There just isn't a large enough call volume to support 2 services in Andalusia or Opp.
Posted by rustynail1 (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And yes, we did have 2 here at one time. They were both starving. There was also 2 in Opp at one time. One of those finally starved to death.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well rusty, I disagree But because this is about the EMS EMA split up I'll just say this and leave it at that, No they did not starve because of competing, They died because the current EMS director and her court of jokers made it imposable for anyone to compete. Not even your boss was able to stay within the guidelines and never once was removed from dispatch. Of course the argument would be "No one else available to dispatch", Hence the reason of another service. Now that’s all I will say on that matter. Oh we have the BEST Medics and EMT's this side of the world BTW. They are all in it for the right reasons, just take the politics out and let the people decide whom they want to call.
Posted by Kathy052 (anonymous) on May 9, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rustynail you were so right about the one in Opp and it did starve them out. Alot of it was greed and who was captain and who was this and who was that and they had to relie on alot of volunteers. I know I was one of them and we fought tooth and nail to keep it going but poor management and cooperations done it in. I had never seen so much fussing and carrying on like I did there and it was awful. But they had some of the finest medic and paramedics this side of Alabama.
It was a sad day when they closed but I can assure you the board members were greedy and it costed one of the oldest rescue squads here in Opp.
Posted by Festus (anonymous) on May 9, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've read the story a couple of times and yet to see how the comm's voted or their feelings on the issue at hand.So far all I know is what Brenda says.I don't know the current EMA director but I really don't think the 16,000 to 24'000 is what has caused this countys problem.(if it is let me know I'll see that is taken care of.)
Let me shed a little light on what I think is about to happen. I'm not going to go into this now except to say this is all about making a spot for Tony Wells to go to in the very near future. Got doubts,wait and see.
Posted by girlnextdoor (anonymous) on May 9, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Festus....the $16,000-$24,000 has nothing to do with the director. If she takes the position, the county will continue to pay her the same salary she is currently receiving. With that said, minus the $7,200/yr they will save in rent....where is the other $9,000-$15,000 savings going to come in? As far as Tony Wells, I think you just made me realize who the "current county employee" is that will be taking the part-time assistant director's position, if the current director chooses to stay with EMA. You know, if the current director doesn't take the position, I bet Wells and Petty will be the director and assistant directors!!
As I stated before, this isn't about doing what is economically feasible, they (Brenda) is doing what is politically correct (in her eyes).
Posted by StabbingWestward (anonymous) on May 9, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is sad is that everyone says we need better leaders and what not. But it will not matter. Until certain people are removed, whomever gets a spot will be converted to "HER" ways because she controls the money. I believe Mr.Sasser had good intentions, but he is like 97% of the people who will put their own intrest first instead of the good of the county. I have no doubt that when he went in office he was planning on changing things, but she weaved her web of money and lies and he fell for it. Brenda says she wants to save us money, but instead of using the "saved" money to take care of the needs, she spends it on her wants. Rumor has it payroll is going to be hard to make for the employees, if that is the case why renovate your office NOW? I can tell you. That renovation made room to put Diane with her freeing up a nice, spacious office.....Why would you need that office unless it was for this now forthcoming move. Why would you put everyone right around you.....easier to keep an eye on them I would think. I honostly don't know why she keeps up with the charade. I could almost stomach her garbage thinking if she would just be honost and say "Look, Myself and my staff have a high standard of living and we need more money. So the rest of you will have to tighten your belts" that is just one guys opinion
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on May 9, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is another comment section on the voting page if any of you would like to read it and comment. How exactly would one find out her salary and get copies of her expense sheets? It should be a matter of public record but these things are always hidden in Cov County; they always have been. There is a reason for this...probably crooked...Ms Petty, if in the wrong, can be caught the same as Ms Phillips was, if you look long and hard enough, the evidence will surface...in this case, I feel that more than Ms Petty is involved and it would be quite a scandal. If a renovation is taking place, why haven't the voters been notified, why hasn't the paper covered the story, and why has it not been brought up in the Commission meetings? Oh well, just my thoughts. If you have an answer to the salary and expense question, print it here and I will follow up on it.
Posted by trueandalusia (anonymous) on May 11, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WELL AS OF THE COMMISSION MEETING TODAY THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN SPLIT. LETS SEE WHAT THE QUEEN AT COMMAND DOES NOW.
Posted by Beanstalk (anonymous) on May 11, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is called Job Security for Mr. Wells. That simple.
Posted by rustynail1 (anonymous) on May 11, 2009 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Tony Wells is put into either position, there is a MAJOR problem. I think there needs to be some serious consideration put into this. There are a couple of people who are well qualified for either position. I do not want to believe they would put someone in either position that sold insurance and then "run" a horse arena. People depend on someone in these jobs with their lives. OUR lives. I hope that our powers to be look at it like that.
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