By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Attorney Chip McLean–who has served as the Henry County 911 Board’s attorney since 2010–was honored at his last meeting Monday evening as he prepares for retirement.
McLean was presented a plaque by 911 Board Chairman John Etheridge and thanked for his leadership and years of service. Etheridge said, “I’ve always had faith in your advice and faith in your guidance over the years and we hate to see you go.”
McLean is retiring and closing the McLean Law Firm as of this Thursday. He and his brother, the late Fred McLean, had planned their retirements for the end of this year. Fred McLean had been the long-time attorney for the city of Paris and both Chip and Fred had operated their law firm together for years.
McLean will be replaced by Paris Attorney Rob Whitfield, who was on hand for the meeting.
“I’ve enjoyed representing the Henry County 911 board since 2010 and working with past board members and (911 Director) Mark (Archer) and (IT Supervisor) Chad (Howard). All of you have brought the Emergency Communications District forward. I do believe this is the best ECD district in the state,” McLean said.
Monday’s meeting was a busy one, with the board hearing updates and moving forward on several items.
–Archer reported the new dispatch center at the 911 building on Brewer Street is almost complete. “Everything is done except we’re waiting on ATT to be the fiber in the building and it should be done by January 29. That’s when we’ll go live. Hopefully down the road we’ll have people working out of there,” he said.
“Yes, hopefully we’ll see the rest of the plan fall in place, when the powers that be see fit,” Etheridge said.
–The new mobile alert system seems to be working well, Archer said, with 1,000 people in Henry County having signed up so far. The new system provides fast alerting for potential severe and damaging weather along with other local information such as road closures, local law enforcement safety information, and other community based alerts the public and local first responders will benefit from. There is no registration and the service is free to the public.
An article publicizing the new system was published on our website in late November.
–Board members asked for more information on new 911 technology called “Prepared” by which dispatchers could watch live as first responders work at scenes. Archer said the system is voluntary and free and it would enable dispatchers to see CPR or other emergency responses in progress and the dispatchers could provide real-time information to first responders while they are responding.
Henry County EMS Director Twila Rose said she had concerns with the HIPPA laws, while Sheriff Josh Frey and Paris Police Chief Ricky Watson said they could see benefits to such a system but they would need to know more before moving forward.
–Upon recommendation of McLean, the board approved a grant of easement with Rex and Bryan Carter for the radio tower located behind the 911 building. The agreement is between the county and the Carters, but 911 is also involved because of the location of the tower
–Archer said he is in the beginning stages of establishing a TERT Team (Telecommunications Emergency Response Task Force) for Henry County that would send dispatchers to other locations that are experiencing emergency situations, such as both Mayfield and Waverly did last year.
Seven dispatchers have already signed up to be a part of it and Archer said our TERT Team would be send to disaster areas with a trailer and supplies to help. Board members discussed ways in which the costs of team members could be covered and indicated that it is hoped that TERT Teams from other areas would reciprocate if Henry County needed help.
Photo: 911 Board Chair John Etheridge hands a plaque honoring long-time 911 Attorney Chip McLean (middle) on his retirement, as Rob Whitfield looks on. Whitfield will be replacing McLean as Board Attorney. (Shannon McFarlin photo).