Cowley County has chosen the person who will lead local efforts to consolidate 911 dispatching, county administrator Leroy Alsup said Wednesday.
Pat Leighter – who’s directed similar projects in Missouri – is the county’s first Consolidated Emergency Communications Center Director. Her first day on the job is Sept. 7.
The county has been working for sometime to fill the position, which will oversee the combining of dispatch centers in Winfield and Ark City.
The position pays roughly $55,000 per year.
Leighter began her career as a dispatcher and has held various emergency communications positions with counties in Missouri. She most recently helped establish a new 911 center in Barry County, where she serves as 911 director.
"She started as a dispatcher, so she has that hands on experience," Alsup said. "But at the same time the last two places she’s worked she’s gone through experiences similar to ours. We really think that dovetails with what we’re looking for."
Interviews for the position were conducted by a 911 consolidation committee. Alsup said there were "four good candidates" that were finalists for the post. Ultimately no others had the specific skill set Leighter does.
Ark City, Winfield and the county have been working toward the creation of a consolidated dispatch center for well over a year. The move is expected to improve efficiency and making dispatching more effective.
Alsup said state and federal grant money for equipment is also drying up for counties that have multiple dispatching entities. Winfield and Ark City have operated their own dispatch centers for years.
"The idea is that you’d have just one dispatch center per county," the administrator said.
The county is also getting grant funding to help offset the cost of consolidation.
Already both towns are working to standardize communication practices and protocols. Picking Leighter as director was an important next step, Alsup said.
Officials must also think about a location for a dispatching center. The Strother Field area seems to make the most sense, Alsup said, but no final decision has been made.
Leighter will oversee a department that is a stand-alone entity under the office of the county administrator.
