“One step closer to a safer community”
Deidre Myers
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) has implemented a new program to allow business owners to join for free while giving them peace of mind and helping the community. Lieutenant Don Barfield started the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Business Building Identification Program based on the JCSO Ag Watch Program, when he noticed there was a desperate need for business contacts after hours. Businesses can sign up to be added to the program, allowing them to be informed if there is an emergency and allows for their building to be easily identified.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Business Building Identification Program was just started this past Monday, March 29, by Lt. Barfield. The Sheriff’s Office has printed window decals with a specific number that will be placed on businesses that sign up for the program. There will be a separate contact sheet filled out with at least three contacts, their names, addresses and phone numbers. Businesses are also asked to list any hazardous materials that may be on the property and any special needs. The information will be entered into the JCSO Data Base and readily available to law enforcement and first responders 24 hours a day. In the event that there is a power loss, the hard copies of the information sheets will be kept at JCSO’s dispatch.
Lt. Barfield states, “When a law enforcement officer is conducting a business check and discovers a problem at the building, the officer can call JCSO dispatch and give the building identification number. Dispatch will be able to search the data base and retrieve the contact information and call the first contact and, if necessary, continue down the list until there is a response.”
In the event of an emergency at a business that is a part of the program, the caller may give the identification number to dispatch, so they are able to retrieve the contact information and see if there any special needs or hazardous materials listed. If so, this gives dispatch the chance to send the proper emergency services. Having detailed information about hazardous materials and special needs allows the dispatcher the opportunity to provide responding agencies the appropriate information before they arrive on the scene.
All information that is provided to JCSO is private and will not be shared with the public. This is a new program and can be modified to serve the needs of businesses better.
To add your business to the program, contact Lt. Don Barfield by email at don.barfield@jcso-fl.org or by calling (850) 997-1594.
You must be logged in to post a comment.