DURRENBERGER: NO CHANGES PLANNED FOR E-911 DEPARTMENT

  

Washington County Judge John Durrenberger says there are no planned changes in the operation of the county’s E-911 department.

Following the departure of E-911 Director Kristi Stamnes last week, Durrenberger told KWHI this (Tuesday) morning that the department is not moving in a different direction, and that the county is simply looking for a new director.

Some in the community have suggested that proposed changes to the department may have contributed to Stamnes’ decision to leave her position for one in her home state of Alabama.  Stamnes told KWHI last week that she had “a great opportunity” come up for her and her family back home, one that she “could not pass up.”

Brenham Police Chief Ron Parker said, to his knowledge, there are “no plans to change the ‘arrangement’ of 911/Communications.”  He said it is his understanding that the organization “will remain as it has been with 911/Communications as a stand-alone department with its own director, reporting to commissioners court.”  The City of Brenham said it is “confident everyone involved has the best interest of all Washington County citizens and first responders at heart.”

However, Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak indicated that changes to the department were at one point being considered, and added that the changes were not supported by him or his office.  He said the county’s 911 dispatch center “was operating in a satisfactory and professional manner,” and that Stamnes’ departure “came as a shock.”  He further added that he was “not part of any discussions regarding the direction of dispatch or changes some had in mind.”

The exact nature of what changes may have been proposed is unclear at this time.

Eleven officials across the city and county are serving on a hiring committee to search for a new E-911 director.  Those committee members include Sheriff Hanak, EMS Director Kevin Deramus, Commissioners Kirk Hanath and Joy Fuchs, Precinct 1 Deputy Constable William Shepherd, Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Alan Winkelmann and IT Director T.J. Harris.  Also on the committee is Chief Parker, Interim Brenham City Manager Carolyn Miller, Interim Brenham Fire Chief Rhea Cooper and Blinn College Police Chief John Chancellor.  Overseeing the committee is the county’s Human Resources Director, Teresa Sazedj.