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planning district's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council and cochairman of the special dispatch study committee. He noted that Culpeper is the only area jurisdiction using matrons and jailers rather than trained personnel as dispatchers.
Estes pointed to Sperryville’s fire department as an example of a well-run operation that does not rely on trained dispatchers. “We’re not associated with any system and it works very well—better," he maintained.
Ethel Clater receives all fire calls and sounds the fire alarm. If there’s no response, she calls the volunteer firemen at work or at home until she rouses enough personnel to answer the emergency, according to Estes.
“The Culpeper dispatchers set the tone off but they could care less whether anyone answers,” the Piedmont supervisor said.
Poling responded that the siren is sounded at least twice and if there’s no response, the dispatcher alerts other fire and rescue units.
Supervisor Wood proposed finding volunteers in other Rappahannock communities to set up systems similar to Sperryville’s.
“If you’re unclear on directions or get lost, how do you get additional directions (after the fire trucks are on the road)?” Rosson asked Estes.
Occasionally, Sperryville has to ask Madison’s or Culpeper’s dispatcher for help “but it’s a very rare occasion that we don’t get complete directions,” Estes replied. He repeated his position that if the county is going to provide its own communication system for emergency services, it should be handled through the sheriffs department.
(Currently, the Rappahannock sheriff’s department receives free dispatching from Culpeper as well as through Virginia State Police. According to Sheriff Peters, this arrangement can continue regardless of any action by that county’s fire and rescue association to discontinue dispatch service to emergency medical and fire units here.)
“Does the board have any objections to a county dispatch system?” asked Estes after his appointment as supervisor representation to work with Poling on a solution to the problem. “Are you opposed to Rappahannock County carrying its own weight?”
Cost A Factor
“I want to know something about how much it costs,” Wood responded, again suggesting further efforts toward a dual county dispatch system.
“That’s beating a dead horse!” interjected Flint Hill fireman Frankie Huff.
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