LOGAN COUNTY, W.Va. –Logan County 911 unveiled its new Mobile Communication Center last week.
911 Director Ted Sparks appeared on MetroNews Midday Thursday to discuss the new vehicle.
He said the 35-foot camper-style vehicle was built by Mobile Concepts Specialty Vehicles, a company based in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.
Sparks said what makes the vehicle unique is that it serves as a mobile 911 center equipped with next-generation 911 technology
“Everything that we have in our primary center here in Logan, West Virginia is accessible and completely standalone in this mobile communication trailer,” he said.
The unit will be able to answer emergency calls and communicate with first responders.
Sparks said Logan County 911 secured a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to help fund the unit’s purchase.
“We didn’t get quite as much as we asked for, you never do, but we were able to get enough to get a state-of-the-art mobile system out here,” he said.
While the unit has Logan County attached to it, Sparks said the center will be available for regional use.
Sparks said Logan County 911 uses NGA 911 as its primary phone provider. He said the unit can be sent to Lincoln, Boone, Raleigh, Mingo and several other counties because they also use NGA 911.
“We can really just roll those into any of those areas, say they catch on fire or a flooding diaster or some sorts that actually happens to their center, and within 20 minutes they’re up and running answering calls just like they did in their 911 center,” he said.
However, Sparks said the center would work for other counties, but the setup process would take a little longer.
The new center is expected to become fully operational by the end of July.