By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
As populations increase, communities often outgrow many of their spaces, including those buildings occupied by public agencies. In Clay County, the building housing 911 is one of those agencies which has passed its capacity.
To ease that burden and be better prepared for future expansion, ground has broken on a new 911 center. Clay County Manager and Health and Human Services Director Debbie Mauney said the new facility is needed. “Clay County is pleased to share with our community the exciting news that ground has broken on our new 5.434 square foot state-of-the-art, hardened 911 Center. This is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication,” Mauney said. “The county made the case that the 450 square foot space, which 911 currently operates out of within a shared facility with Emergency Medical Services, is wholly inadequate for carrying out the day-to-day operations of what can accurately be considered the county’s first line of defense for both an individual and a community in need or distress.”
The new facility is projected to cost $6,282,130, according to Mauney. She said project funds are from a combination of legislative funding, state grants and private foundation grants.
Clay County 911 Director Kevin Sellers said the staff is very happy. “All of us at Clay County 911 Communications are very excited to see a new facility for our 911 operations under construction,” Sellers said.
Located on Courthouse Drive near downtown Hayesville, the new site is accessible to several other county buildings on Courthouse Drive, including the Department of Social Services, the Clay County Courthouse, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Health Department and Clay County Transportation. “While 911 is a critical part of EMS, it is its own entity,” Mauney continued. “It is the first link in the chain for services. They initiate the direction for aid. 911 is truly a system that is available to all of our citizens. Everyone in crisis knows to call the 911 number for assistance.”
The new 911 center should be completed by the end of 2024, and will have four 911 work stations, as opposed to the three work stations the current center has. “In addition to offering a safe workspace for employees, the facility will provide a much-needed, protected space for critical, life-saving technology,” Mauney added. “This will provide a technological foundation to expand data sharing and it will create safety features for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. It will provide a strong public safety foundation to expand capabilities well beyond the 911 center.”
Sellers agreed. “Once we are in the new facility, Clay County 911 will serve its citizens, communities and visitors with the latest 911 technology. I want to thank the Clay County Board of Commissioners, Clay County Manager Debbie Mauney and the NC 911 Board for securing grant funds to build this new 911 facility.”