(Standard Banner. October 18, 2012. Photo by Ronnie Housley)
Taking part in dedication ceremonies for the new County Emergency Services Building Wednesday morning (October 17, 2012) were (from left) Charles McSpadden, President, McSpadden, Inc; Brian Pierce, President, MBI; Alan Palmieri, Chairman, E911 Board; Nina Snodgrass, Chairman, EMS Board; David Longmire, County Director of Facilities/Safety; Marcus Reed, Director E911; Brad Phillips, Director EMA/EMS; and Mark Potts, Mayor, Jefferson City.
Dedication...By Gayle Page, Standard Banner Staff Writer
Wednesday was a happy day for Jefferson County’s E-911 Director, the EMS Director, and all their dedicated staff members.
October 17, 2012 marked the official grand opening and dedication of the gleaming new facility that houses Jefferson County’s Emergency Services. Attending the ceremonies and taking a tour of the building – located at the corner of Old A.J. Highway and Caldwell Road near Jefferson Memorial Hospital – was a virtual who’s who in county and municipal governments.
David Longmire, the Director of Safety and County Facilities, served as master of ceremonies, introducing as many local public figures involved in seeing this project from conception to fruition as he could possibly present in one program.
Frank Clamon, former County Commissioner and Facilities Committee Chair, offered the prayer of dedication, and County Mayor Alan Palmieri gave the welcome address to the huge crowd in attendance.
This facility was a long time coming, and underwent a few fits and starts before it was completed, but it was well worth the wait. Speakers included Brian Pierce, Vice President of Michael Brady, Inc, the architectural firm that designed the state-of-the art building. His brief message was followed by a few modest words from Charles McSpadden, President of McSpadden Construction Company, who along with project manager Kevin Bryant and Chuck McSpadden, built this structure from the ground up – never experiencing a delay, a cost overrun, or any other major problem that would hinder their progress. Remarkably, this was achieved on time and under budget.
Jefferson City Mayor Mark Potts was invited to say a few words, since it was his office and council that had ensured the building would have sanitary water and sewer service.
Mayor Potts said he was extra proud because he actually plays a dual role, in that he also works for the county’s Emergency Medical Services. “We are now the envy of everyone with this new building,” Potts said.
Former County Commissioner and current board EMS Board member Nina “Hoagie” Snodgrass, kept her message short and sweet. “This is a dream come true,” she said.
EMS Director Brad Phillips, who has 20 years’ experience as a paramedic and oversees the dispatching of ambulance and paramedic service to all residents in the county 24 hours a day, humbly offered this quote by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia): “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.”
Phillips added with deep emotion: “This was a vision to serve the county that we all love so much.”
Next and last, but certainly not least, Longmire introduced Marcus Reed, the ever-patient and long-suffering Director of E-911. “They worked a long time in a hole,” Longmire told the crowd.
“I’m just glad to be here!” said an elated Reed. He offered his heartfelt thanks to everyone connected with making the Emergency Services Facility become a reality – the County Commission, the County Mayor, and the E911 Board of Directors. Reed expressed special appreciation for the late David Voiles, who had been a steadfastly supportive member of the E911 Board, as well as a good friend. David’s widow, Carolyn, is an assistant to Mayor Palmieri and was there at the dedication.
“A team accomplished what you see here. This is your facility,” Reed told the crowd, then invited everyone inside for fi ne refreshments supplied by Perkins Restaurant, and a grand tour of the spacious building.
Longmire and Mayor Palmieri concluded the ceremony with thanks and gratitude to many others too numerous to mention, but Longmire was wise enough to express special thanks to his wife for her support throughout the planning and building stages of the EMS building, as well as for her prayers and the gracious late meals she prepared for him.
Jeffereson County information, please visit: www.jeffersoncountytn.gov
Jefferson City information, please visit: www.jeffcitytn.com