E9-1-1 Sets up Non-Emergency Line for July 4 Weekend in Kans.

July 01--In anticipation of increased non-emergency call volume during the July Fourth weekend, Hutchinson/Reno County E-911 has set up a non-emergency line to take loud music, noise and firework complaints.

The line opened 7 a.m. Tuesday and will operate through midnight July 6.

The number is (620) 694-2790. The number is the same for complaints in Reno County and Hutchinson.

For emergency calls -- anything on fire, anyone hurt or a verbal or physical disturbance -- residents are advised to call 911, said Michele Abbott, E911 director.

"We didn't run into issues" in the past, Abbott said, "but we do have a trunk line dedicated to 911 we don't want tied up with nuisance calls. Since we're fully staffed, we want to pull the non-emergency stuff out of the main center."

The dispatch center staff includes four people on each shift, with one person dedicated to handling calls within the city, one in the county and one for fire and EMS, Abbott said.

On July 4, when highest call volume is expected, they'll also open the Emergency Operation Center and have an additional dispatcher and Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hanen there to direct the response.

"He'll determine who goes where, so resources are equally distributed," Abbott said.

In all, seven lines will be available to take calls.

She didn't have statistics on prior July 4 call volume, but said the holiday is traditionally a "surge event." Also, because July 4 falls on a Friday, they expect call volume to remain high through the entire weekend.

"We usually get a flux on the first day, when everyone is frustrated when it's starting," she said. "And the way this weekend is configured, it won't stop Friday night. If people still have (fireworks) they'll still light them off."

The dispatchers dedicated to handling calls in the county, incidentally, will be armed with a list showing firework regulations for each municipality in the county, since many are different.

Kerry Rothenberger, supervisor for the Reno County Sheriff's Department, said this is the first year Hutchinson and Reno County will be participating in the non-emergency phone line.

"We wanted to be able to free up the main emergency lines," she said.

Copyright 2014 - The Hutchinson News, Kan.