By DIANA DICKINSON
ddickinson@claremoreprogress.com
The Rogers County Board of County Commissioners opened a dialogue last week between the county and the City of Claremore about sharing resources related to public safety.
District 3 Commissioner Ron Burrows met with City Manager Jim Thomas, Claremore Police Chief Stan Brown and Claremore Police Lieutenant Steve Cox to see how the two entities can work together cost effectively.
“A lot of the same things they (the city) are looking at doing, we are also looking at doing,” Burrows said.
At Monday’s meeting of the BOCC, the board voted for Burrows to make contact with city officials to begin a discussion related to public safety communications.
The meeting was considered “an icebreaker” to form a future working relationship, Burrows said.
Both the city and county have purchased Spillman Technologies software that allows agencies to manage and share critical public safety data.
It allows users to share information with neighboring agencies — police departments, communication centers, fire departments and jails — including the ability to “live share” information, or exchange data in real time.
Using that software to communicate more efficiently was among the items Burrows covered with city leaders.
“Right now we have one system for each — the jail, dispatch, and criminal investigations each have their own data software,” said Rogers County Jail Administrator Major Bob Darby. “The Spillman software merges information from law enforcement and other agencies.”
Also discussed with city leaders was a request by the county that the city consider running a fiberoptic cable to the Enhanced 911 Center.
“In general terms, the city is working on a fiberoptic loop to enclose all city facilities,” Burrows said. “We discussed additional costs to also run the loop to the 911 center.
Brown said this is in the preliminary stages — there are still considerations, including cost, that need to be considered before any decision is made.
Brown said the idea of the city joining the E911 center was also discussed.
“The E911 center is providing quality service and we do not see any dangers there,” he said, while adding, “These are things we still have to discuss and consider.”
Brown credited Burrows for getting involved in 911 matters.
“He (Burrows) has picked up the ball and moved with it because enough concerns had been expressed about the operations at the 911 center and he is trying to make it better,” Brown said.
“The goal is to be able to make large investment decisions together to benefit everyone,” Burrows said.
Using that software to communicate more efficiently was among the items Burrows covered with city leaders.
“Right now we have one system for each — the jail, dispatch, and criminal investigations each have their own data software,” said Rogers County Jail Administrator Major Bob Darby. “The Spillman software merges information from law enforcement and other agencies.”
Also discussed with city leaders was a request by the county that the city consider running a fiberoptic cable to the Enhanced 911 Center.
“In general terms, the city is working on a fiberoptic loop to enclose all city facilities,” Burrows said. “We discussed additional costs to also run the loop to the 911 center.
Brown said this is in the preliminary stages — there are still considerations, including cost, that need to be considered before any decision is made.
Brown said the idea of the city joining the E911 center was also discussed.
“The E911 center is providing quality service and we do not see any dangers there,” he said, while adding, “These are things we still have to discuss and consider.”
Brown credited Burrows for getting involved in 911 matters.
“He (Burrows) has picked up the ball and moved with it because enough concerns had been expressed about the operations at the 911 center and he is trying to make it better,” Brown said.
“The goal is to be able to make large investment decisions together to benefit everyone,” Burrows said.
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