Culpeper E-911 recognized by state

Culpeper County Emergency Services Director Steve Basnett, holding plaque, receives an award from the state for achieving accreditation from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. Pictured with Basnett are (left to right): Sheriff Jim Branch, Kenneth Crumpler of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services and Nicki Tidey, training coordinator for Culpeper’s E-911center.

By Nate Delesline III, ndelesline@starexponent.com, (540) 825-0771 ext. 110
Published: June 22, 2009

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Culpeper County’s E-911 center received state recognition Thursday for successfully implementing a program intended to save lives and manage emergency response resources.

The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials’ Emergency Medical Dispatch Program utilizes software and training. In turn, the dispatchers can use the software and enhanced training to provide specific medical assistance to callers while trained workers travel to the scene.

Steve Basnett, the county’s director of emergency services, said at least one life has been saved through the program, which was implemented in January.

Kenneth Crumpler, communications coordinator for the Virginia Office of Emergency Services, presented the award on behalf of the state to local officials.

Crumpler said tighter budgets and dwindling resources have prompted many communities to rethink their response to emergencies. Before, when workers were summoned to an accident, “We emptied the house,” he said. Now, programs like EMD are bridging the gap.

“Dispatchers are the first first-responders,” Crumpler said, explaining that Culpeper County is one of 24 municipalities statewide to achieve accreditation under the program.

Culpeper County E-911 provides emergency dispatch services for the town and county. The center’s staff of 19 people handles about 80,000 calls annually.

Also Thursday, the board briefly discussed upgrades to the county’s radio system. Alan Culpeper, director of the county’s purchasing department, assured the board that the town and county are not poised to have to spend millions of dollars on a new system.

“We’re taking a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach,” said Culpeper, who added that upgrades to the radio system will probably need to be considered around 2013.