In this Sept. 11, 2012, file photo, sunglasses reflect the computer screens in front of a Lewis County 911 Communications Center dispatcher as she takes a call during a Friday night shift. The center is located on the top floor of the Lewis County Courthouse.
Lewis County has selected interim leader Dave Anderson to serve as the E911 Communications manager, according to a press release issued Friday less than an hour before the courthouse closed for the weekend.
Anderson has served as the county’s interim 911 manager since mid-January. He was one of four finalists from a pool of 20 applicants, according to the press release from the county.
A selection committee comprised of first responders, emergency management personnel and other county employees unanimously recommended him for the position after conducting interviews with the four finalists, according to the release.
Lewis County E911 Communications dispatchers took a majority vote of no confidence in Anderson in May, less than a week after Anderson and county commissioners dismissed concerns from area police and fire chiefs on the center’s management.
Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale reported to the Chehalis City Council in May that unless the dispatch center had an effective manager, services would not improve. Concerns included providing follow-up information to first responders, providing correct unit status for first responders and the need to standardize the reporting of complaints, concerns and compliments.
In letters and statements to The Chronicle, dispatchers later described a work environment where they felt a disconnect between themselves, their management and Lewis County government.
Prior to his role as interim 911 manager, Anderson was the emergency medical services program aviation manager for Air Methods Inc., Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Anderson managed 55 pilots and 14 multi-million dollar helicopters operating with the Life Flight Network from 12 EMS air ambulance bases operating 24/7 in three states. Prior to that he served as a helicopter instructor pilot in the US army and an instrument examiner. He retired at the rank of chief warrant officer four after 22 years of service.
Anderson earned an associate’s degree in science engineering from Centralia College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration management at Centralia College, according to the press release.
