Those who answer emergency calls for the Bourbon County community have been moved to a more secure and bigger space from the Hawkins Public Safety facility at 1604 South National Avenue.

People and equipment in Fort Scott/Bourbon County Dispatch Department moved to 207 S. Judson, on June 22, 2021.  The site is the former correctional facility adjacent to the Bourbon County Courthouse.

“We answer all incoming 911 emergency calls and dispatch the appropriate agencies such as police, deputies, fire, and Emergency Medical Services,” Traci Reed,  communications manager, said. Reed has been in this position for ten years and in the dispatch department for 14 years.

“We also answer all calls that require calls for service for the community,” she said.

Why the move?

“Personal and structural safety has always been a concern for our dispatch facility,” Reed said.  “The Hawkins building housed police, fire, and dispatch, and the shortage of room was an issue as well.”

“The public has access to the Hawkins Building and dispatch should not be physically accessible to the public due to safety reasons,” she said.

“Fortification of dispatch is very important due to bad weather or any other kind of disaster that may occur,” Reed said. “If any disaster would take place dispatch has to be able to continue communications with all agencies to ensure the safety for our citizens of the city and county.”

“The benefit (to the community) is that dispatch can and will continue to run efficiently and serve this community to the best of our ability to ensure safety for not only our citizens but also our First Responders,” she said.

Jobs

Currently, there are seven full-time employees with one part-time employee.

There is one full-time vacancy at this time, she said.

Qualifications for employment require passing a background check, being able to multi-task, have listening skills, and being able to handle stressful situations, Reed said.

To apply go to the City of Fort Scott Website at www.fscity.org to fill out an application.