Public safety needs assessment ongoing
By COBY LaRUE
Staff
A public needs safety assessment is under way in Alleghany at the
request of the county commissioners. The assessment, being undertaken
by Solutions for Local Government Inc., is designed to help discover
the long- and short-term needs for the county’s emergency services
and law enforcement.
According to a document presented to the commission on Dec. 17 that
was dated Dec.12, the company held two multi-day visits to the
county. The document states that the company has spent some six days
‘off-site’ working on the project for the purpose of meeting with
department and agency representatives responsible for public safety
activities in the county.
Departments visited included the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire
Department, Alleghany County Rescue Squad, Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire
Department, Piney Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Alleghany
Emergency Medical Services, Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department,
Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department, N.C. Forestry Service,
Alleghany E-911/Mapping Coordinator and the Alleghany County
Sheriff’s Office.
"In an effort to focus on capital needs, each meeting focused on
questioning the agency and department representatives with regards to
their respective vehicle, building and equipment needs and
discussions regarding the basis for the needs expressed and options
or outcomes anticipated were that need met or not met," the document
stated.
The document said the company has met and spent several hours with
each volunteer fire department chief as well as available members
present during each meeting. The company visited each department to
observe the general conditions, terrain, topography and availability
of water, the type of structures that are present/predominate in the
area and fire service response issues and special needs.
Follow up visits are planned to the area during the first week of
January to verify and clarify information, the document stated. More
information on development and growth and composite assessments of
existing facilities, equipment and conditions will also be factored
into the assessment. At the time the document was prepared, follow up
visits were set for the county planning department, Alleghany EMS and
the Alleghany Sheriff’s Office.
Following those visits, the preliminary findings and recommendations
will be presented to Alleghany County Manager Don Adams for
discussion and review. Upon his approval, the document will then be
presented to the commissioners at the first meeting in February,
which is slated for Feb. 4, ‘08 at 6:30 p.m.
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