New 911 dispatch administrator prepares to step in

David Bledsoe accepted the position of administrator for the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, effective Monday, Aug. 22.

The decision was made Aug. 8 at a special session of the center's board of directors to discuss personnel matters, according to Board Secretary Corey Sullivan. In closed session, the board interviewed candidates for the administrator's position.

Applications for the position were in about a month ago and were evaluated by the board members. The board entered a closed session to interview several candidates for the position on Monday, Aug. 8. The interviews were discussed, then a decision was made. Late in the evening, Bledsoe was contacted and offered him the position.

"I accepted on the spot," Bledsoe said. "It's definitely going to be a sharp learning curve, but I think I have the experience needed to step into the role of 911 Administrator."

Bledsoe brings to the position quite a bit of experience in the emergency services field. He has been an emergency dispatcher for 16 years and served the 911 center as TAC Officer (Terminal Agency Coordinator). The TAC Officer serves as liaison between the law enforcement data system, known as MULES, which is a system of the Missouri Highway Patrol, with FBI data. He also has been a dispatch trainer.

In addition to his dispatch experience, Bledsoe served as an EMT with Mid-Mo Ambulance for nearly 10 years. He completed Paramedic training, but before he was licensed, a serious injury resulted in a disability which basically halted that area of his work.

Asked what challenges he sees ahead, Bledsoe replied, "Learning the administrator's side, dealing with problems, and working within the funds and personnel available. I just hope I do a good job for the county."

The present administrator, Corey Sullivan, is going to stay around for a few months "to assist the new administrator in learning the ropes."

With no experience in the area of budgeting, Bledsoe has concerns about preparing the next budget. But Sullivan gave assurance that he will be available to advise and assist with that task.

"We plan to continue to make the transition as seamless as possible for the new administrator," Sullivan said.

Bledsoe spoke about the difficulty of finding qualified people for dispatching. The work requires good communication skills and really superb computer skill, but there is something more needed. "We're looking for people who feel a calling to do this kind of service," he said.

In other business:

The board made a decision later that evening, offering the position to Bledsoe at an annual salary of $44,000 and normal benefits for the agency. There will be a six-month probation period, followed by a review and possible salary increase.