By Laura London
Alamogordo Daily News
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OTERO COUNTY, N.M. — The Otero County Commission discussed board nominations for the 911 consolidated dispatch center at length during its regular meeting Oct. 15.

The commission also discussed a bid for a mobile pump testing unit for county volunteer fire departments. The low bidder was Weis Fire and Safety Equipment out of Salina, Kan., for $67,700. Paul Quairoli, county emergency manager, told the commission the bid comes with an option if the county pays 50 percent down on the unit, they will receive a $3,000 discount.

Commissioner Michael Nivison pointed out the county bought two fire trucks last year with grant money that was available, in part, because the county was diligent about pump testing even though trucks had to be taken to El Paso, Las Cruces or Holloman Air Force Base to do the testing.

Amending the motion to reflect the 50 percent down payment to get the discount, commissioners approved the request unanimously.

Commissioners spent considerable time talking about their public safety answering point, or PSAP.

According to the county's agenda report, Alamogordo and Otero County recently signed a joint powers agreement that says they are to appoint a nine-member board to operate a consolidated 911 dispatch center for the area. The county has five appointments to the board, while the city will appoint four.

In August, Sheriff John Blansett had submitted to the county a list of eight suggestions for the board: the sheriff or his designee; the county administrator or his designee; county emergency manager Paul Quairoli; EMS Director Dr. William Boehm; Lance Crosthwait, anti-terrorism coordinator at Holloman Air Force Base; Michael Nivison, Cloudcroft administrator; former Undersheriff David Henley; and Allen Gorby, president of the local Builder's Association.

The sheriff had included a short explanation with his list that underlined his sentiments as to why he or his designee should be involved in the makeup of the board. For one thing, he said, the city will probably appoint his counterpart from the Department of Public Safety to the board. He also pointed out that dispatchers for the consolidated center will be employees of his department, and he should have a say in decisions that will affect them. He said dispatchers are the "lifeline" of his staff, sending deputies to calls for services.

"For the sheriff not to be on the board would be the same as not having Paul Quairoli to represent the fire departments," Blansett stated in his August communication to the county regarding the board.

Tim Smith, county manager, had recommended Quairoli to represent the fire districts, according to the agenda. He also recommended the assistant county manager due to his in-depth understanding of the county's and city's organizational structures, as well as his technical expertise with communication systems.

County Commission Chairman Doug Moore said he reviewed the sheriff's recommendations and thought some of them were great. Moore noted some were named by name, however, and he would rather have nominations named by position.

Moore suggested appointing someone from the sheriff's office, another from county administration, the county emergency manager and the mayors or their designees from Cloudcroft and Tularosa.

Moore thought the EMS director might be a good choice, but then again, perhaps he would better serve on the advisory committee as opposed to the dispatch center board itself. Moore also mentioned someone from the contractors who run the ambulance service may be another good choice for the advisory committee, and he would like to "bandy this around with our folks, as well."

Nivison said recent emergencies in Mescalero have opened the door to some networking progress between the county and the Mescalero Apache tribe. He said Mescalero will be in on the county's PSAP, too, and suggested the tribe be represented on the board.

Commissioner Clarissa McGinn wanted to clarify the functions of the advisory committee versus the voting board. She said the advisory committee functions would be more technical in nature, while the board would oversee and make decisions on operations at the PSAP center. Moore agreed that was true, saying the advisory committee would serve to provide feedback on how the facility is running.

Moore then amended his recommendation for slots on the board, suggesting the sheriff's office, county administration, Cloudcroft, Tularosa and Mescalero. After some discussion with the other commissioners, Moore made a motion to nominate those five positions to represent the county on the board.

"I have one concern," Nivison said. "We left Paul out of that."

"We only get five," Moore said.

McGinn agreed with Nivison'sa concern. "I think it's important, too," she said.

Smith told the commission he could appoint Quairoli as the county administration designee.

"That's no problem," Smith said.

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