PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners Tuesday approved a contract with the state Military Department’s Emergency Management Division funding a modern-day telephone system for the Peninsula Communications, or PenCom, 9-1-1 dispatch center.
The bulk of the $327,966-maximum grant will cover the replacement of PenCom’s antiquated phone system, with $56,766 earmarked for general operating costs and $46,200 for meetings, conferences and other state-mandated 9-1-1-related travel.
PenCom Manager Steve Romberg said the new telephone system will be Next Generation 9-1-1, which can receive text messages and video.
He said the existing telephone system has reached the end of its life.
“We aren’t able to get a maintenance agreement any longer,” Romberg said.
The new contract with the Emergency Management Division runs through Aug. 15, 2015.
“I’m just elated,” Romberg said.
“I was expecting we were going to have to pay for it out of our capital account.”
PenCom provides emergency dispatch services to the Port Angeles police and fire departments, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim police, Lower Elwha and LaPush tribal police, Olympic National Park rangers and four fire districts.
In other board action, commissioners Tuesday appointed Laura Brackett, Annie Achziger and Virginia O’Neil to the county Disabilities Advisory Committee.
Commissioners also signed a proclamation acknowledging Friday as POW/MIA Recognition Day.
A POW/MIA ceremony will be held at the Clallam County Veterans Center at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The veterans center is located at 216 S. Francis St. near the Olympic Peninsula YMCA.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
