Othello approves dispatch contracts

OTHELLO - Othello is collecting more money to provide dispatch services for ambulances and the fire district.

The city council approved two contracts, one with Adams County Fire District 5 and the other with Othello Community Hospital to provide dispatch services.

Each of the contracts increased about 2.1 percent, according to city records. The hospital contract increased to $16,759 and the fire district contract increased to $7,839.

The agreements last for two years. The previous ones expired on Dec. 31, Police Chief Steve Dunnagan said.

"This is revenue for the city. We've had a long standing agreement with the hospital to provide the dispatching of their ambulance services," he said. "It's been a very good relationship. There have been no problems. We work very closely with the hospital staff."

The contract with the fire district was a similar long-standing contract, Dunnagan said.

"Currently the sheriff does not have the capability to dispatch fire like he does in other areas in the county, so this is a stop gap for them to make sure that fire services are provided to the citizens without disruption," he said.