Harbison leads state 911 group

By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW September 18, 2008 11:49 am

— Barren-Metcalfe County 911 Director Beverly Harbison has been elected president of the Kentucky Emergency Number Association (KENA).
Two years ago, she was elected as second vice-president before moving to first vice-president.
Now that she is in charge, her duties will include organizing KENA’s quarterly meetings in Elizabethtown and preparing for the annual fall conference.
Apart from meetings, Harbison has goals she would like to accomplish as KENA president, such as increasing the association’s numbers.
“I think, in the last few years, we’ve had a lack of interest, per se, across the state,” she said. “I’d like to see our membership rise.”
Harbison added that KENA members will also take a look at the issue of wireless funding. She explained that with a number of individuals switching from land lines to cellular phones, the amount of funding they get is shrinking.
She said, for instance, that 32 cents is included for each wireless bill, while $1 is included in a land line bill.
Harbison hopes legislation could be adopted where the money is taken not from a person’s wireless bill, but rather an electric or water bill.
“That way, you’re still paying it,” she said.
Harbison loves that KENA has allowed her to meet with other 911 technicians from across Kentucky and share ideas that could help the local entity.
“It’s good networking, whether you’re trying to buy new equipment for your dispatch center or dealing with a personnel issue,” she said.