2016-01-08 Meeting with Lewis County Fire Chiefs - CopyMeeting with Lewis County Fire and Police Chiefs
January 8, 2016
11:00 am
Present: Commissioners Schulte, Fund and Stamper, Sheriff Snaza, Chief Jaques, Chief Kytta, Chief
Cardinal, Chief Kinders, Chief Nielson, Chief Schaffer, and Prosecutor Meyer
Recorder: Karri Muir
Sheriff Snaza gave a background on 911 services complaints that he was receiving in August, 2015. He
wanted to work try to work through the issues at a lower level before coming to the BOCC. He worked
with Director Strozyk, and Director Strozyk noted that he would take care of the issues. Meetings have
been occurring throughout the last part of 2015. He and the chiefs believed that Director Strozyk was
taking care of the issues in the 911 Center that he talked to the management and dispatchers. Since
that time, one of the Fire Chiefs talked with some of the dispatchers and they did not know anything
about discussions with Director Strozyk.
The sense of urgency that has been brought up by the Fire and Police Chiefs over the last five months
have not been heard by Central Services Management.
Sheriff Snaza noted that we need to have competent dispatchers and managers in the 911 Center. He is
concerned with the direction that the 911 Center is going. Action needs to be taken. He discussed that
he has been told that the 911 Manager was on a “last chance” agreement. He does not know if the 911
Manger knows the urgency of this matter.
Chief Kytta confirmed what the Sheriff noted was accurate. The frustrations that came out in August of
2015 were not new and have been going on for the past few years. He noted that if true change is going
to take place, these needed to be discussed with all the stakeholders. They have been meeting over this
for the past five months.
He shared the Fire Chiefs view of the 911 Center. It is in business for a services; fire and police
departments are customers and pay for their services. Commissioner Schulte noted that he feels the fire
and police departments are part owners in the 911 Center. Chief Kytta noted that they are disappointed
that they have not had their concerns met by Director Strozyk.
Chief Nielson noted that one of his first Police Chiefs meetings was on rates. He was floored when the
answer regarding why the rates were going up was not addressed. He also noted that 20% of his budget
is going towards the 911 rates. There is no confidence in the director or the manager of 911. It bothered
him when he talked to the dispatchers that nothing has changed. The dispatchers quit asking questions
or noting concerns because they go nowhere. He has started looking elsewhere for 911 services. He
does not feel the situation is beyond repair. If 911 cannot take care of personnel issues, how can they
take care of the citizens?
Chief Schaffer stated that there is no strategic plan in place. When they had an incident earlier this
week, the two dispatchers were brand new. They did an excellent job. He asked what happens if there is
a larger incident. They asked the 911 Manager what was the plan if something larger happens. The
answer was “we will deal with it when it happens”. There was not backup plan. The second incident
came up when they were replacing radios. The question was asked if they would work 5-10 years down
the road. There is no plan down for down the road. He feels there is a lack of planning in 911 and he has
a lack of confidence.
Sheriff Snaza asked how the public entities can plan for the future without a strategic plan for the 911
Center. The entities need to be involved with the strategic planning, one of the reasons is for the cost of
equipment so planning can be done down the road.
Commissioner Schulte noted that one of the benefits for the County running the 911 Center is that we
can front the money for the 911 system.
The Fire Chiefs need something from the County, for planning purposes, so they can bring it back to
their commissions for approval.
Chief Kytta noted that they need professionalism and leadership from the 911 Center. He asked the
question how our center compares to other centers. This would be part of the strategic planning. There
are some limited performance measures in place now. We would be held accountable to the public for
their performance measures. They are unclear how the 911 Center is doing with their performance
measures.
Chief Cardinale noted that he and Chief Kytta were meeting with Director Strozyk before August of 2015
over various issues. He was concerned that a lot of the issues they would discuss, they were told that
they could not be done. Another issue is the call out time of some of the 911 calls. He noted that it
sometimes takes up to 6 minutes to get a call dispatched. That is not acceptable. These issues have been
brought up and have not been addressed. He hosted training sessions for the dispatchers and he felt
they were highly motivated, yet there were some senior employees that did not want to be there. The
dispatchers have discussed with him that they have nowhere to go with concerns.
Sheriff Snaza stated this group is not asking for someone’s resignation or termination. They are bringing
forth issues and they feel that future meetings will not bring about any changes. We are professionals
and we owe it to our citizens to have faith in our operations. He stated the question, “Why can’t we be
the elite 911 Center?” We are asking for the critical issues to be addressed.
Commissioner Schulte stated that they will discuss this and get back to the Fire and Police Chiefs with a
resolution. We cannot afford to have a less than adequate 911 Center. He appreciates the time and
input from the group.
Commissioner Fund stated she appreciates the time and input from the Sheriff and the Fire and Police
Chiefs.
Commissioner Stamper stated when he ran for office he had questions on how to fix the 911 Center. He
also appreciates the input from the Fire and Police Chiefs.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 am