Court approves dispatch director; hears need for Red Cross volunteers
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, 11:45 p.m. — Meeting in regular session this morning, Nelson Fiscal Court unanimously approved the hiring of Milt Spalding as the E-911 Dispatch center’s new director.
In accordance with the dispatch center agreement between the city and county governments, both legislative bodies must approve the hiring of the director. The Bardstown City Council will take up the matter at its meeting this evening.
WANTED: RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS. The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers who can become part of the group’s Disaster Assistance Team.
Fred Hagan explains how Disaster Assistance Teams help families with immediate needs following a fire or other disaster.
These volunteers do not assist with blood donations, but are specialized volunteers who typically provide help to families who are displaced from their homes due to fire, flood or other disaster.
Fred Hagan, a longtime Red Cross volunteer, said more volunteers are needed to bring relief to families who are sometimes left after a house fire with just the clothes on their backs.
Disaster Assistance volunteers help people with immediate needs, which can include housing, food, clothing, medication replacement, etc. — all services aimed at helping families start the process of rebuilding their lives.
Hagan and his wife are active in the tri-county area as a Disaster Assistance Team. The teams serve ;in the Marion, Washington and Nelson County area.
At a scene, Red Cross volunteers work side-by-side with firefighters and other emergency personnel to ensure victims are given immediate relief. Immediate relief means getting them what they need most without waiting a day or more — food, lodging, clothing, medication replacement, and mental health counseling. In the days following a disaster, the Red Cross continues to work with families while they find ways to rebuild their lives.
Most of the training is online, Hagan explained, and the Red Cross will assist volunteers with their training needs. For more information, visit the 
American Red Cross website, RedCross.org.
CIVIC CENTER. The court approved funding for needed repairs to the civic center building and the parking lot. Judge Executive Dean Watts told the magistrates $50,000 is already in the current budget for building repairs; however an additional $32,000 is needed ford parking lot work.
County Engineer Brad Spalding told the court that a wet weather spring is causing problems with drainage in the parking lot, and that will be addressed when the parking lot is repaired in the spring.
FIRST-RESPONDER OVERDOSE TRAINING. Nelson County EMS Director Joe Prewitt told the court about a training program he is participating in with local law enforcement that will give them the tools and training to deal with heroin overdose victims.
Prewitt said he should learn soon if a grant will be available fund the purchase of heroin overdose kits that police officers will carry in their cars and conduct the needed training.
Police officers are routinely dispatched along with EMS to suspected drug overdoses, and they often arrive before EMS crews. With the training and tools, officers will be able to administer the heroin antidote Narcan to victims.
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