By Keith Lippoldt
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
Following a busy week of Proclamation adoptions, the Barton County Commissioners were back in action Tuesday morning, adopting three more Proclamations at its agenda meeting at the Courthouse. Representatives from the Health Department Advisory Committee, County Attorney’s Office and Barton County Communications were on the agenda to present to the Commissioners.
National Public Health Week
The Commissioners heard remarks from Kristen and Perry Smith, members of the Health Department Advisory Committee, asking for the week of April 7-13 to be proclaimed National Public Health Week. The theme for this health week is “It starts here.”
“I’d just like to start by saying that one of the many strengths of the Health Department is the collaboration of services with other County agencies they have instituted, and they strive so hard to increase access to public health by providing as many grants as possible that keeps the county cost lower,” Kristen Smith said. “They are a very dedicated and innovative staff, and we’re proud to be on this board.”
The Proclamation read that “Whereas celebrating 30 years of the National Public Health Week, the public health officials are proud of the fact that Americans live 35 years longer today than they did when the American Public Health Foundation was founded 150 years ago.”
Perry Smith read from the proclamation, “The constant contributions of that longevity are many and include advancements in testing, treatment and medicines, improvements in the availability and nutritional value of our foods, safer water and building material, and better care and treatment of our bodies.”
The Proclamation also stated that public health professionals offer reassurances through various means, including social media, mailers, in-person, group activities and telemedicine. It states that people are enabled to protect our families, friends and communities through first aid, vaccinations and critical care information that is informative and up to date.
“May it be proclaimed that the week of April 7 through April 13, 2025 be observed as Public Health Week in Barton County, and further that the Commissioners commend the Barton County Health Department staff, members of the Health Department Advisory Committee, as well as all partners collaborating with public health officials in reaching our families, friends, relatives and co-workers to ensure better, preventable habits and longer, healthier lives,” Kristen Smith read.
Commissioner Donna Zimmerman said to the Smiths, “I just really appreciate all the work in the Barton County Health Department. I think back to a few years ago and everything that you guys went through and persevered and made it through, one day after another. I appreciate everything you guys do.”
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson made a motion to adopt the Proclamation, and it was seconded by Zimmerman. The motion carried 5-0.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Victim Advocate Camila Komarek presented the Commissioners with a presentation for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The Barton County Attorney’s Office requested the Commission adopt the Proclamation for the week of April 6 through April 12 “to reaffirm the County’s commitment to respect and enforce victim’s rights and address their needs during Crime Victim’s Rights Week.”
“During National Crime Victims’ Week, we celebrate the accomplishments of the victim’s rights movement and reflect on how far we have come,” she read. “This year, we observed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with the theme connecting kinship and healing, recognizing that shared humanity should be the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime… The annual observance challenges us to build a world where every connection built through kinship between survivors, advocates and communities holds the potential to heal and that we show up for one another with empathy and intention…
“To make sure victims of crime have a voice and receive the necessary services to recover from trauma and to begin the healing process.”
Commissioner Duane Reif commented that “I think the awareness is so important. Awareness keeps the public informed and I’m just glad you guys could do that. Thank you.”
Zimmerman motioned to adopt the Proclamation. Hutchinson seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
National Public Safety Communications Officers Week
Barton County 911 Director Dena Popp addressed the Commissioners and asked for their consideration in proclaiming April 13-19, 2025, as National Public Safety Communications Officers Week.
In part, the Proclamation “honors Public Safety Communications Officers for their vital role in protecting the life and property of Barton County citizens.”
Popp reminded the Commissioners that the first 911 emergency call was placed by a state politician in February 1968, in Haleyville, AL. “Since then, times have changed drastically,” she said. “In 1989, Barton County became a consolidated PSAP, or Public Safety Answering Point. Instead of every agency having its own staff to send emergency services, there is now one point of contact for all emergency service personnel.
“While our location has not changed since becoming a consolidated PSAP, many other things have - ever changing technology, the financials of staying on top of that ever changing technology becoming the biggest challenge.”
Pope listed several technological systems that have been introduced including Next-Gen 911, Rapid Deploy for accurate mapping and consistent mapping, Text to 911, Video to 911, as well as built in contingency and overflow plans to prevent a complete 911 outage.
Popp also stated that this profession is not for just everyone.
“For some dispatchers, things we hear can take a toll on a person’s mental health, such as babies not breathing, hearing the shots from a gun, someone screaming loudly for a loved one not breathing, not knowing if the person you gave CPR to survived,” she said. “Not knowing if the conversation you had with somebody in a mental health crisis made an impact.”
On the other hand, she mentioned situations where their actions keep them motivated and dedicated to the job. Some of these situations include administering CPR, delivering babies, and assisting someone trying to take their life and getting them help.
“Oftentimes it’s a thankless job,” she said. “Many people often think of first responders being the Police, Fire or EMS, but we are often forgot about as being that first line of communication.
“I want to say thank you to my staff for their dedication and sacrifices they’ve made over these past several years. I’m very proud to have them as part of this profession and the Barton County team.”
Commissioner Barb Esfeld commented that “we’ve all had the chance to come over and look at what they do, and all the monitors and the calls that come in. I know we all feel the same and we appreciate you and your staff. We just need to get a few more people for you who love that job.”
Esfeld made the motion to adopt the Proclamation, and it was seconded by Reif. The motion carried 5-0.
