WEST NILE VIRUS

Hurricane Greg Exercise

NOAA Weather Tower    

The NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter is now operational, as of Tuesday, May 1st the radio transmitter began the 30 day test phase. Weather forecast and messages, watches, and warnings can now be heard on the assigned frequency 162.500.

POLK COUNTY

   COPS Program now available

Going to the ER  and calling 911 has become a major trend in this country, as patients substitute urgent care for standard doctor visits. An estimated 50 to 90 percent of 911 calls are not emergencies.  In 1998, out of 100 million visits to the emergency room, only about one third were classified as truly urgent.

CALLING 911

What’s causing this trend? After 30 years in operation, Americans have become hooked on, even addicted to, 911, experts say. Being such a well-known and user friendly method for contacting police, fire, and ambulatory services, the public has seemingly forgotten that 911 is for emergency use only.

Kay Berry of the Polk County Sheriff's Dept. said that as much as 90 -95 percent of 9-1-1 calls are non-emergency or calls that should be handled by normal telephone calls. (see Story)