Published: May 22, 2006 11:31 pm   

County to purchase ‘Code Red’

Kelly Prew
News Editor

Walker County Commissioners on Monday agreed to purchase a “Code Red” system contingent upon an interlocal agreement with the city of Huntsville and potential grant moneys.

“We’re on go, as soon as we get all of this wrapped up,” said commissioner B.J. Gaines.

Code Red first was presented to commissioners during a regular meeting in April, where Brian Davis, a representative with Code Red, spoke to commissioners and other county officials about providing an emergency alert system to canvass every household with a telephone city and countywide.

Cost of the system is $20,000 the first year and $10,000 each year thereafter for as long as the county should uphold the contract. It has been proposed that the city of Huntsville and the county would split the cost, but nothing has been put in writing.

The City will hear the same presentation during a work session before its regular meeting tonight. Both entities are scheduled to begin negotiations for the interlocal agreement, purchase and policy procedures Wednesday.

“We certainly need to try and include New Waverly and Riverside in this,” Gaines said. “I am of the very strong opinion we need to get the ball rolling.”

Code Red is a company that began eight years ago and is a Web-based system requiring no additional equipment or hardware to be purchased by city or county agencies. Once government officials agree there is a need for a widespread alert to citizens, a message can be launched that will make up to 1,600 calls a minute or 100,000 in an hour.

Commissioner Tim Paulsel, who also sits on the county’s 9-1-1 board, which also includes two Huntsville City Councilmen, said the board is also backing the system.

Also on Monday, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the county, Wayde Sullivan, announced his retirement to commissioners.

Sullivan has worked for EMS for 20 years, and will serve through June 30. In the meantime, commissioners will appoint an interim director on Thursday during a meeting posted for 3:30 p.m in the county judge’s chambers.

“That appointment will have to be made,” said Judge Danny Pierce, “but in the meantime, we’ll appoint a temporary assistant director to help work through the budget process.”

The United Way of Walker County was provided office space from the county at 344 75 North, the former site of the juvenile justice offices. United Way executive director Paula Anglemyer and board president Tom Hart explained the current offices on Avenue O are “uninhabitable,” as the air conditioning system and the foundation are sub-par.

The United Way was allowed to use that building rent-free, but were required to maintain the building, provide utilities and liability insurance, all of which United Way is prepared to do for the new location.

“The United Way conducts a lot of activities in that building,” Hart said. “As the board is interested in expanding services, we will need (better space) to do so. The juvenile building will be ideal for those needs.”

Currently, the United Way offices also provide records retention for Habitat for Humanity and as-needed space for the American Red Cross. COME Center records are also housed there.

Because the United Way is a public interest nonprofit, the county can work the agreement. The lease will be set up yearly, as the county could decide at some point to re-inhabit the facility or sell it if commissioners see the need.