New Location for Clinton County Emergency Services and Veterans Affairs
by Emily R. Pollio
FLEMINGTON–The Clinton County Emergency Services office and the county Veterans Affairs office are in the process of moving to the old Flemington School, part of a $2 million renovation project nearing completion.
Kevin Fanning, the Director of Emergency Services, said the Dec. 11 target date for the 9-1-1 center will include completed renovations and technology installation.
The move to the new location started Monday of last week. Fanning said, “The move was a piece of cake.” The administration started moving into the new location, furniture has been set in place, but the technology is currently being installed. There is more work to be done to the 9-1-1–call center.
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Jeff Snyder sees this move as very positive and important for the 9-1-1call center. Expanding their footprint from 2,500 square feet to 10,000 square feet, there is much more leg room at the new location with 6 stations to receive an average of 254 calls per day and about 93,000 calls per year. Clinton County Emergency Services hopes to one day support other counties as well, in the near future.
Finding a new location for the Clinton County Emergency Services Center was not easy. In January 2012, Snyder became aware that the old Flemington School would become vacated. In April 2012 the county commissioners took ownership of the building. Prior to that, the county had been looking for over 14 years, trying to find opportunities to relocate. Bringing in architects to see if the building was viable took place, and the county commissioners negotiated with Keystone Central School District and agreed that the former Flemington School would be a good place to relocate. The vacated school was purchased for $1 in exchange for services. After establishing a planning team, the entire 2012-year was spent redesigning the building. In May 2013, construction began with only 180 days to completion. The construction was finalized on Nov. 8.
Within the former school also lies the Clinton County Veterans Affair office, which takes up 900 square feet. Bill Bechdel, the County Director of Veterans Affairs said that the move this past Friday has been a positive experience, taking just 4 ½ hours to complete. Bechdel says the space is bigger and a lot more private. This Monday was the official starting date for the Veteran Affairs office at its new location.
Still active in the basement of Susque-View is where the 9-1-1call center stands, for now, until the transition is completed. One down, and one to go with a few odds and ends to complete within the Emergency Services office. The Clinton County Veterans Affair office is ready to service their veterans and the Emergency Services Center will be up and running in December, ready to help the Clinton County Community.
