E-dispatch, Spring 2012

              Publication of Southwest Oklahoma Regional 911 Association Spring, 2012
Safe Trip Back in Time
Contact Information:
E911 Director: Dana Church, dana@swoda.org
E911 Assistant: Danette Traugott, danette@swoda.org
Websites: www.swor911.org www.swoda.org
P.O. Box 569, Burns Flat, OK 73624
Phone: 580.562.4882 or 866.502.7970
Fax: 580.562.4880
South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) provides
management services through a written agreement with the Southwest
Oklahoma Regional 911 Association. SWODA acts as the administrative
agency on behalf of the Association under this agreement for the acquisition, implementation and operation of the 911 Asso-ciation
emergency telephone network. SWODA’s Executive Director, Debora Glasgow, serves in the same capacity for the 911
Association; however, the 911 Association’s Board of Directors determines policy and sets annual assessments.
911 Administration
Perhaps one of the best ways to take a trip back in
time would be to travel to Roger Mills County, Oklaho-ma.
The greening native grasses, blooming wildflowers
and peaceful, rolling landscape quietly link centuries of
different cultures together.
The Black Kettle National Grasslands, Battle of the
Washita Site and Antelope Hills of Roger Mills County
are a few of the most famous paths crossed by various
Indian tribes, European explorers and settlers of the
land run.
Along with new settlements came organized laws
and lawmen. The first territorial sheriff was appointed
in 1892, and the first official County sheriff was Texas
lawman, Bill Johnson.
Later, in 1911, Roger Mills County welcomed one of
the first woman sheriffs, Myra Trammell, who finished
out her husband’s term, serving until 1920. Myra’s
grandson, R.L. Trammell served from 1981 through
1992 when current Sheriff, Joe Hay was elected.
Other than the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Roger
Mills County Sheriff’s office is the only law enforce-ment
in the county, also dispatching for six fire depart-ments
within the county and two outside.
The sparsely populated county is linked by a net-work
of roads that, even today, may seem a little out of
place in the midst of the rich history and heritage of the
area, but becomes a key tool in being able to effective-ly
respond to emergencies anywhere in the county.
Over the past few years, the Southwest Oklahoma
Regional 911 Association (SWOR911) in cooperation
with South Western Oklahoma Development Authority
(SWODA) has implemented 911 addressing and map-ping
in Roger Mills County along with the Enhanced 911
system.
Thousands of travelers come to visit the historical sites
and to hunt the wildlife of the area including the world’s
second largest population of Rio Grande turkeys.
“The Black Kettle Grasslands, alone, cover over
30,000 acres,” said Sheriff Hay, “it used to be difficult
when people, who weren’t familiar with the area, called
in an emergency. We didn’t have a map, and the only
information we had to find them was the landmarks they
could see around them.”
Since the 911 addressing and mapping has been imple-mented,
each 911 call made, even from a cell phone, ca
n be seen on a map. Appropriate road signs then help
emergency responders to locate the caller. The Enhanced
911 system makes Roger Mills County a safer trip back
in time.
“I can’t stress how important the addressing and map-ping
has been. It was the key to getting Enhanced 911
set up in our county,” said Sheriff Hay. “It not only helps
in emergency situations, but also helps delivery services
find rural residents.”