The White County Office of Public Safety is celebrating the 30th anniversary of White County 911 Communications. White County 911 has been a lifeline for residents since its launch at 6 a.m. on August 1, 1994, according to a press release from White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett.
The time is significant because it marked the moment when residents and visitors of White County gained a centralized system to call for help in emergencies.
To implement the service, an addressing system spanning the entire county had to be established.
Developing addressing system
“A company was contracted to develop this addressing system, and a dedicated road name committee, led by Teresa Holtzclaw, was formed to create or approve road names. Community members were encouraged to submit name suggestions based on the roads they lived on, adhering to specific policies and requirements. This groundwork was essential for the 911 system, as 85% of the residents had to verify their new addresses before the system could be activated,” PIO Bryce Barrett explained.
Before this, the Board of Commissioners named the roads when the Georgia Department of Transportation came to White County to create a county map.
Without a map in place and roads that were not named, handling emergencies was a difficult process. When someone needed law enforcement, the procedure was to call the number to the Police Department or Sheriff’s Office serving their jurisdiction. For medical services, they had to call the ambulance service directly. If fire services were needed, a person had to contact the White County Sheriff’s Office. Delays and confusion occurred because of this cumbersome process.
Beginning staff numbers
White County 911 began operations with eight dispatchers, two per shift, and a 911 Director, centralizing all emergency calls to a single, easy-to-remember number, thus streamlining the response process and significantly improving emergency services.
Important personnel who helped get the White County 911 Communications off the ground were County Manager Mike Palmer and Project Manager Harry Barton, who oversaw the project. John Litz served as the first 911 Director. The 1994 County Commission, consisting of Chairman Kenneth Vandiver, Post 1 Commissioner Carlton Turner, and Post 2 Commissioner James Morris, played a crucial role in supporting the establishment of the system.
Gratitude for pioneers
David Murphy, Director of the White County Office of Public Safety, reflected, “The establishment of White County 911 was a milestone for our community. It has undoubtedly saved countless lives and improved the efficiency of emergency response. We are grateful for the vision and dedication of those who made this possible.”
Don Strength, Division Chief of White County 911 Communications, added, “Celebrating 30 years of service is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our team. We continue to strive for excellence in providing emergency services and ensuring the safety of our residents.”
In celebration of the 30th Anniversary, White County residents and officials want to thank those who laid the foundation for White County 911.
