Osceola County – On October 1, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will begin overseeing fire rescue communications and all 911 operations for the Osceola County which were previously departments of the Board of County Commissioners. The plan, which was negotiated several months ago and takes effect with the new budget year, includes 26 personnel and a budget of nearly $3.3 million dollars.
For now, personnel will continue to work at the current dispatch center on Simpson Road. Dispatch personnel will move to a new communications center near the Sheriff’s Office Administration Complex on East 192 when the building is completed in June of 2009.
Under the agreement, fire rescue dispatchers and 911 operations employees will become Sheriff’s Office personnel with equal benefits and pay. The new plan alleviates transfer calls from one dispatch center to another and cross trains employees on both law enforcement and fire rescue calls.
“Consolidation makes our operation more efficient and allows us to enhance our service to the citizens of Osceola County,” stated Sheriff Bob Hansell.
A Swearing In Ceremony is planned to welcome the 26 new employees on Monday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m