Pratt County Commission: New message system studied

A new emergency notification system is on the horizon for Pratt County that would allow for specific group or mass notifications from one computer command.

Tim Branscom, Pratt County Emergency Manager, presented three company options to the Pratt County Commissioners for consideration at the Monday meeting.

The current county website is unable to send messages to individual groups. In the event of an emergency when time is critical, this type of system would give fast notification as opposed to making individual calls.

Besides county departments, the public would be able to enroll and get notification on specific events such as a gas leak though geo mapping but they have to be enrolled, Branscom said.

Warnings can go out by e-mail, text or voice call. Code Red, Nixle and Civic Ready are the companies under consideration.

The commissioners approved the purchase of a 2010 CanAm ATV from 54 Pickup for $5,800 for use at the landfill. Jason Winkel, landfill manager, said the vehicle would be used for vacuuming trash, dragging roads, plowing snow and other jobs at the site. Payment will come from the special equipment fund.

Winkel also presented several options for crushing cardboard. The recycle center wants to increase its cardboard capability to increase profit. Commissioner Joe Reynolds said more help might be needed to handle the load.

Commissioners also expressed concerns about the amount of e-waste left out in the open at the center and wanted Winkel to work on the problem.

Robert Torres, environmental services and recycling manager, said the county might consider a fee for locals for e-waste because of the county cost.

Director of Public Health Deb McGraw said a tabletop exercise would be done Nov. 7 to cover public information, information sharing and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

McGraw said she has had a lot of conference calls dealing with Ebola. She warned that if an event would happen here it would tax the department’s abilities.