By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council For The Aging held their annual meeting on Tuesday, May 17th.
Executive Director Joni H. Spivey called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.  Chairman Bobby McLean gave the opening prayer.
Spivey recognized the board members and presented them a small token of appreciation.  Board members recognized included Chairman McLean, Vice-President Isaiah Collington, Judy Sanderson, Geraldine Sellers, Katie Paul, Dorothy Bethea, Mary Ann Wilkes, and Glenda Campbell.
After the board members were recognized, they were all nominated for another year of service and approved.
Spivey introduced the guest speaker, Clarence “Sonny” McRae, Director of 9-1-1.
McRae has been the director of 9-1-1 for nine years and prior to that served on the Dillon County Council.  He said he really enjoys his job and helping and educating people.
McRae said 9-1-1 is a 24 hour/7 days a week operation located at 205 W. Howard Street, Dillon.  He said they run four shifts and have approximately 22 employees, three part time employees, and three administrative staff members.
McRae said they have an $800,000 – $900,000 a year budget.  He said the $1 surcharge added onto a landline phone bill generates about $70,000 a year.  McRae said if one has a landline at their house that they should keep it because often it is the only way one can communicate in a bad storm.
McRae said they are in the process of upgrading their system.  One of the planned upgrades is Smart 9-1-1.  He said this will especially help seniors because emergency workers will have needed information when they arrive.  He encouraged those in attendance to go to Smart911.com and fill out a safety profile.  Some of the questions include names and phone numbers of family members; entering medical conditions, allergies, medications; home location information; and pet information.  This is secure information that can only be seen by 9-1-1.  There is no charge for this service.
McRae said when he started at 9-1-1, he had no idea that Dillon County had so many calls.  In 2015, they had approximately 100,000 calls.  Not all of these were emergency calls.  Many of these were to report things on I-95.  He said he had a good group at 9-1-1 who do a good job.  He said dispatchers have to be certified and trained, and it is not an easy job.  He said it takes a special person because it is a big responsibility to deal with people’s lives.
McRae said if one calls from a cell phone that 9-1-1 does not get a specific address, they get the closest cell phone tower.  McRae said in Phase Two of the new system, they will be able to pinpoint cell phone locations.
Another feature they will be adding is EMD which is Emergency Management.
McRae said his office does addressing also.  He said the address on a house is very important.  McRae said you must have a house number on a mailbox or a place where it is visible.  It could result in a $300+ sign if you do not.
McRae said “time is of the essence,” and you don’t want emergency personnel to have to search for your house or to have someone to have to go outside and flag them down or turn on a porch light.
McRae answered questions from the audience.
After McRae’s presentation, Spivey gave the Director’s remarks.
The volunteers recognized were Millia Alford, Daisy Bullock, Mary Carmichael, Rose Ann Green, Edith Inman, roger Luce, Eugene McLellan, Virginia Meekins, Essie Moultry, Jessie Scarver, Barbara Sellers, Sarah Thompson, Harold Utley, and Caryn Proctor.
Spivey reported that MANN + HUMMEL gave a $1,000 gift to the Council on Aging that will help with meeting their local match or emergencies.
Spivey said they will be distributing Farmers Market vouchers again this year.  The vouchers have a $25 value.  Distribution starts on Monday, June 6, at 9:00 a.m.  One must provide income information and proof of identity.
After Spivey’s report, McLean gave the blessing, and everyone enjoyed a meal.