PCAD, SPD merger complete

With only a few bumps in the road, the merger between the Pettis County Ambulance District and Sedalia Police Department dispatch systems is complete. After several months of planning, the merger went live at 8 a.m., Feb. 2 “without a hitch,” said PCAD Administrator Mike Gardner.

“The initial switch-over went well and since then we’ve had just a few glitches which I think is to be expected,” Gardner told the PCAD Board of Directors during their regular meeting Tuesday. “We knew there would be some trials and errors but all the (departments) are working well together.”

The PCAD Board moved to switch its dispatch services from Morgan County to SPD in the fall, to shorten response time and ensure all emergency service entities in Sedalia were in communication.

During the meeting Gardner also told the board the land on West 16th Street that PCAD had recently purchased will be put to use sooner than thought. While the land’s original purpose – to house the district’s headquarters – is still a ways off, the area is in perfect condition to use as a landing zone for medical helicopters.

“I spoke with Sedalia Fire Department Chief Mike Ditzfeld and Deputy Chief Greg Harrell, along with Staff For Life, about using the space when we need a helicopter medical transport,” Gardner said. “It’s a huge area, there’s a big concrete pad out there right now, so it’s perfect for what we need.”

Currently the Celebration Center is used for helicopter landings, but it can be dangerous if passerby want to get a closer look, Gardner said.

“They can drive right up in the driveway and watch,” he said. “(The area on 16th Street) is a lot safer and we will be able to have police officers dispatched at the same time so they can block the road if we need it.”

Gardner said the change will have to be formally approved by the Sedalia City Council, but didn’t foresee a problem.

“This will be a lot easier for the helicopters to maneuver in and out of, and a lot safer for the public,” Gardner said. “We’ll continue to work with the city to make sure this is the best decision for everyone.”

Finally, the board approved purchasing additional radio equipment for the county’s rural fire departments. The move was made after Gardner told the board last month sometimes PCAD ambulances are called to a rural scene without knowing exact details.

“By getting them these radios, it will eliminate the need for them to call into county dispatch, who then relays it to Sedalia dispatch who then calls us,” Gardner said. “We will be able to have direct communication with them, allowing our guys to be more prepared.”

PCAD will purchase one mobile unit and two GPS-equipped handheld units for the rural fire departments at their request. Gardner said he was planning to meet with each fire department chief to discuss the radios and how relationships between them and PCAD could be strengthened.

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