VIENNA — Vienna Fire Chief Mike Smith stressed the critical need for the upcoming 911 sales tax proposal, highlighting its impact on the Fire Protection District and emergency response times in Maries County. The proposed one percent sales tax will be on the Nov. 4 ballet and would pass by a simple majority vote. If passed, this would create an independent 911 Board to oversee all aspects of emergency dispatching in the county, including budget control for the agency.

The tax would also fund the county’s current dispatch infrastructure, including accurate computer-aided dispatch systems, fully trained dispatchers and measurable performance outcomes, according to Smith.

“If this doesn’t pass, we would have to look at another county helping us dispatch,” Smith said. “Relying on neighboring counties would likely come with additional fees.” Smith explained Vienna and Vichy are the only fire departments fully dispatched within the county. The current dispatch center handles an average of three to four major incidents per year, according to Smith. In one recent example, firefighters responded to the Vienna Pointe fire on Aug. 7 in the early morning hours.

Staffing challenges also add to the urgency, Smith said, noting that dispatchers also serve as jailers. Additionally, the difference between having a trained dispatcher vs a non-trained dispatcher being the one to call his department in an emergency.

“It’s a safety issue when a dispatcher has to leave the radio unattended to deal with prisoners,” he said. “You also have to take into account without trained dispatchers, response times could slow and confusion could increase during emergencies. If someone untrained were in that dispatch slot, it would cause delays in getting responders to the scene.”

The Vienna Fire Protection District has previously contributed to upgrades in the current dispatch system, including mapping software that improved location accuracy for calls.

“We made a contribution to help upgrade the equipment because it benefits everyone—EMS, law enforcement and fire,” Smith said. He emphasized shifting to outside dispatch services would likely require recurring fees, unlike past contributions made to the current 911 dispatch center.

Smith also spoke about how mutual aid calls have become increasingly common and as volunteer numbers decline in neighboring departments, and having a trained personel is the most effective route. Recently, Vienna firefighters assisted with a house fire in Bland, and they often respond to brush fires and other incidents throughout the county, according to Smith,

Smith encourages support for the tax, emphasizing adequate funding for dispatch services is essential for both the safety of residents and the effectiveness of emergency responders.

“We’ve waited a long time for this,” he said. “This is something that’s needed to benefit law enforcement, fire, and EMS throughout the county.”

On behalf of the Vienna Fire Protection District, Smith added, “While we support funding improvements to our dispatch infrastructure, we strongly urge that critical issues, particularly CAD accuracy, dispatcher training and measurable outcomes, be prioritized and addressed in any finalized funding plan. We are committed to collaborating with county leaders and public safety partners to ensure these enhancements benefit both responders and the public.”