Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 3

star Casper Area Friday, December 8, 1 989 Star-Tribune, Casper, Wyo. A3 911 dispatching error hindered response to fatal house fire Officials stress view that delay of some units didn't contribute to death of children ching shows that city fire engine, the Natrona County Fire, Department's engine and the county's rescue unit were directed immediately to respond to the Nov. 7 fire. About two minutes elapsed before the city truck company, accompanied by a rescue unit, headed for the scene, the tape recording shows. "A mistake was made in dispatching of our truck and our rescue unit," MacDonald said.

"When found out, it was corrected." MacDonald investigated the error because concerned firefighters told him they were not all sent to the blaze "at the time they should have been." However, the fire chief is emphatic that the two-minute delay had no effect on the fatal fire's outcome. Two elementary school children, Rae Marie and Jerod Warren, died in the fire. It began beneath a fireplace. up" caused the delay in firefighter dispatching to 2921 Pheasant. Law enforcement and other emergency officials say they have complete confidence in the protection the dispatching system provides for Natrona County in emergencies.

But Fields said he has asked data processing workers to "look into" the lock up. The Nov. 7 computer jam was "not a system failure," Fields said. "It happened," he said. "1 can't explain it." A similar incident "very early in (he design of the remedied," Fields said.

No lock ups have occurred since the fatal fire "that I'm aware of," he said. Casper Fire Department policy specifies that two engines, a truck company and a rescue unit shall be sent to structure fires like the one that occurred at 2921. Pheasant last month. A tape recording of the dispat other two units. At that time they dispatched them," Fields said.

Fields said errors do not often occur in the dispatching center. Receiving two calls simultaneously on separate lines about the same fire created a "somewhat unique" situation, he said. Fields did not discipline any of the three dispatchers on duty when the mistake was made. He said the dispatchers "absolutely" acted to the best of their ability. The least experienced of the three dispatchers on hand had been employed in the center four months.

The Natrona County Sheriff's Office, Casper Police Department and Mills Police Department are also dispatched by the public safety communications center and have never reported any errors, according to Fields. Only MacDonald has reported a dispatching mistake involving the Nov. 7 fire, Fields said. MacDonald said he has "confidence in the dispatching system" and the people working in the center. "I believe the dispatchers are professionals," he said.

"I have confidence in the dispatchers." MacDonald blames the mistake on human fallibility and a tension-filled atmosphere. "I can understand how things like these happen," he said. "Mistakes are made. People in all fields will at one time or another makea mistake." The dispatching tape recording shows the dispatchers with difficulty calmed a terrified caller to get crucial information about the burning house. Two 91 1 calls were placed simultaneously by the adult occupants of the house, answered by two separate dispatchers.

Only one of the callers stayed on the line, the tape shows. Fields said the dispatchers who answered the 91 1 calls both manned computer terminals, but only one terminal's screen showed the required dispatching information. The dispatchers divided firefighter dispatching duties. One dispatcher alerted the county crew, and the other directed city emergency personnel to the scene, the tape recording shows. Fields said the dispatcher who directed city firefighters to Pheasant Street was not informed by the "4 I I lfllMimMII By EMILY QUARTERMAN Star-Tribune staff writer CASPER A dispatching error delayed part of the response force sent to a fatal house fire Nov, 7, according to officials in charge of the city's public safety communications center.

But Casper Fire Chief Doug MacDonald insists that the error did not contribute to the deaths of two children in the blaze, The first fire fighters on the scene, who were promptly dispatched, found the bodies of the two children. The response of a city fire department truck company and a unit was delayed by about two minutes because of the error, MacDonald said. He blamed the delay on human error. But Dick Fields, who directs the public safety communications center and is responsible for emergency dispatching, said this week that a computer terminal "lock Cold start 1 is r1 1 J. It HvJ Ji if i rwwu 1 til Zbigniew BzdakStar-Tribune Buddy Surles tries to help Lori Konegni start her car Thursday on Goodstein Drive in Casper after cold weather and a snowstorm Wednesday night.

Heritage poll shows state residents support spending more on education DICK FIELDS Computer lock up caused delay computer that a truck company was to be sent. The computer system was "rekeyed," and worked, alerting the dispatcher to the absence of the required unit, he said. "Once they were able to reactivate the system, it showed the press release says. Santa Claus will be in the Market Square courtyard at 232 E. Second on Saturdays prior to Christmas from 1 1 a.m.

to 3 p.m., giving away free balloons. Carolers from Dean Morgan Junior High, the Barbershop Group, CY Junior High and Natrona County High School also can be seen this month in the downtown area, the DDA reports. Christmas decoration contest still open CASPER No one had been nominated by Wednesday for city of Casper Beautification Commission Holiday Decorations Awards, Casper City Manager Tom Forslund said Wednesday. The deadline for nominations for the citywide contest is Dec. 13.

The Beautification Commission will not judge any decorated home or build-ing without a nomination, Forslund said. Residential, commercial, public, neighborhood and mobile home nomination's can be made by calling 235-8372. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Casper City Councilman Terry Wingerter said at Tuesday's council meeting "Ward III is outdoing (Wards) I and II in Christmas decorations." "Ward I and Wart II better get on the ball," he said. Mayor Dick Shamley agreed that Kelly, Trojan and Bella Vista Drive homeowners have "outdone themse'lves." Hot tub overheats, starts house on fire CASPER An empty hot tub overheated at 3740 W.

46th at 1 1:15 a.m. Monday, causing a fire that damaged the home's sauna to Casper fire inspector Dave Harvey. Harvey had no dollar estimate of the damage to the home, which is owned by E.Tennant. Sullivan campaign committee formed CHEYENNE (AP) Two Casper residents have registered a campaign committee in support of Gov. Mike Sullivan's re-election, although the governor has not officially announced he will run again.

The treasurer for Citizens for Sullivan, which registered with the secretary of state's office on Thursday, said the group is ready to help Sullivan if and when he docs make that announcement. "This would be if he decides to declare his candidacy. We are just making an effort to help him," committee treasurer Marilyn J. Lyle said Thursday. Sullivan said that he talked to the committee officers before they registered the group.

He added, however, that forming the committee was not meant to indicate that he had announced his campaign. "I've had people who want to give money and you can't do it without a campaign committee," the governor said, noting that Lyle and committee chairman Mark W. Clifford offered to help out. Sullivan would not say when and if he plans to make a campaign announcement. "Right now I need to focus on the budget and the upcoming legislative session," he said.

Four people nabbed by area drug team CASPER Four suspected drug dealers were arrested recently following investigations by the Central Drug Enforcement Team, according to a press release and Casper Police Lt. Jack Macy. The Drug Enforcement Team is a multi-county law enforcement effort coordinated and partially funded by the state Division of Criminal Investigation. In Casper, Mark Van Horn, 28, was arrested Friday after he allegedly delivered psylicibin, or mushrooms, Macy said. Van Horn also was arrested Nov.

6 for delivery of cocaine, Macy said. In Douglas, Kerry John Garnica, 27, Edward Stinson, 25, and Carlene Stinson, 26, were arrested on drug delivery charges following a yearlong Drug Enforcement Team investigation during which about 1 Dounds of marijuana and two grams of cocaine allegedly were purchased by undercover officers or was seized, a press release says. A Chevrolet Monte Carlo and 1 $1,000 in cash also were seized, the release says. Knife-wielding man threatens Casper man CASPER William P. Ramey, 49, was threatened by a man wielding a knife at 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday at Second and Grant, Casper police say, Ramey told officers that the suspect stopped him as he walked down the street, then threatened him by pointing and "jabbing" at him with the knife from a distance, Lt. Jack Macy said Wednesday. And, Macy said, the suspect told the victim "he was going to whip his butt." No arrest has been made in connection with the incident. Macy said the men have been involved in an "ongoing altercation." Police to increase DUI enforcement CASPER Casper Police Chief Fred Rainguet announced Wednesday that officers will be "increasing" enforcement of drunken driving laws during the holidays. And police cars will bear red ribbons, "as asked by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving," Rainguet "We as police officers are interested in the safety and health of our community," the police chief said.

"Drunk driving is a very serious issue in this modern age, and drunk driving simply doesn't make sense. We want to do our part in assuring a safe holiday season for everyone." DDA sets up some free December parking days CASPER Yellow parking meter decals have been purchased by the Downtown Development Authority to alert shoppers that parking is free on Saturdays, according to a DDA release. During December there is no charge for use of the city parking garage and lot on Fridays. Also on December Fridays, vehicles can be parked free on city streets for up to two hours without charge. And all parking will be free Dec.

16-23, the "I've said all along that political campaigns are much too long and I don't want to contribute to making them longer," he added. Lyle and Gifford are friends of the governor and worked on his 1986 but they were not officers on that campaign committee. Group will protest True well in Hawaii CASPER The Boulder, chapter of the Rain Forest Action Group is planning a demonstration against True Oil Co. here in Casper on Dec. 14 to protest True's geothermal drilling activities in a Hawaiian rain forest.

A spokesman for the group said that the planning of the demonstration is still in the initial stages. But he expects 20 to 30 demonstrators protesting the company's activity. True is presently involved in a geothermal drilling project on the island of Hawaii the Big Island in the Wao Kele Puna rainforest. True hopes to produce 100 megawatts of electric power from the projects. Rain forest protection activists and some native Hawaiians have opposed True's drilling, arguing that the company will destroy "the only lowland rain forest in the United States." True Geothermal said that the project has had thorough environmental review and been approved at every step.

In addition, according to Hank True, managing partner of True Geothermal, the opposition has lost every challenge on environmental grounds. The San Francisco-based Rain Forest Action Network estimates that, worldwide, 100 acres of rainforest is being lost every minute. Native Hawaiians have argued that the Wao Kele Puna is sacred, but have been turned back by the courts on religious challenges as well. EQC sets meeting on solid waste rules CASPER The Wyoming Environmental Quality Council will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 20, in the meeting room of the Oil and Gas Commission Building in Casper.

The council is scheduled to make decisions on four chapters of the solid waste rules and regulations and on a case involving American Minims and Milling. For further information, contact the EQC, Room 407, Barrett Building, Cheyenne, 82002, or telephone 777-7170. True reappointed to reserve bank board CASPER H. A. "Dave" True III, partner in the True Companies, has been reappointed for a three-year term as a director of the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

In related actions affecting the seven-member" Denver board, Barbara B. Grogan of Western Industrial Contractors of Denver 'was designated its chairman while Sandra K. Woods of Adolph Coors Co. was appointed a director. The Kansas City Fed's Denver Branch has about 400 employees, and its directors meet monthly to consider economic and financial developments and operating i From staff and wire reports CASPER Wyoming is suffering from an "education crisis," and the state should spend more money on its schools, according to those attending a Wyoming Heritage Foundation conference on education.

The foundation's survey of about 200 people who attended its conference in mid-November also showed that 84 percent feel Wyoming should take the lead in developing a new education system to meet the needs of a changing society. The survey showed that 53 percent of those responding felt the state should spend more money on education, although 28 percent disagreed with that statement. Mills councfl orders Terry to patrol to pay more for education if they know they're going to get a product in return," he said. "The argument right now from the (University of Wyoming) and the K-12 people is 'We need more money' and the people are saying 'Hold on a If, on the other hand, (schools) said we want to develop a new educational system to meet the demands of the 21st century then there is no question that money would be available to meet those objectives." However, almost all of those questioned, 92 percent, said the state needs to set goals and standards for education and 79 percent said schools should be given "report cards" on their performance by the parents of students. what's going to happen.

I want them to act quickly." Barton said, "People worry that we're short, we're short by very little. We can cover the town. long as we don't have major illness or vacation." Terry added, "and one officer doesn't get into a situation that requires two. I'll have a man tonight that's alone on duty." Barton said the council wants to take the time needed to find a high quality police officer. "We do the best for our town people." The Casper Police Department and Natrona County Sheriffs Office sometimes can provide assistance in Mills, but not always, Barton and Terry said.

"If I was not concerned about it, I would not be giving you that letter now," Terry told Barton. "If 1 weren't doing my job, I wouldn't send that letter." At Thursday's Town Council meeting Terry said, "You all have a copy of the letter and I hope you take it to heart." In unsolicited comments included with the surveys, however, respondents were divided on exactly what the money should be spent on. Many of the comments collected in the survey centered on increases in teacher salaries in K-12 and the university, a longer school day and year, increased funding for higher education, and decreases in administrative costs. The survey results released today indicate that Wyoming's residents would be willing to pay more for education if the state's schools could promise to prepare students for the next century, said Bill Schilling, foundation executive director. "My observation is that people in Wyoming are more than willing public.

"It's a common enough letter," Barton said. He indicated that Terry had Written similar letters before when openings occurred in the seven-person police department. The town is advertising for police officer recruits. So far, 18 applications have been submitted, Barton and Terry said. However, Terry said, many of the applicants "are absolutely not qualified," and only three or four "meet the criteria." The qualified applicants have not been interviewed, the chief and acting mayor said.

Meanwhile, if an officer takes a vacation or becomes ill, the remaining patrolmen are forced to work without backup, Terry said. "I do have a concern for officer safety," the chief said. "It's inadequate. Six is not enough." Terry said his letter to the council was intended to send up a "red flag" and "to nudge them" into speeding up the hunt for another patrolman. "I want it quicker," he said.

"If they don't do it, I don't know By EMILY QUARTERMAN Star-Tribune staff writer MILLS Police Chief Art Terry has been ordered by the Mills Town Council to return to street patrol until a vacant patrolman's position is filled. Terry said Thursday he was informed Monday he would be back in a patrol car on a "temporary" basis. He said he was not told what i the council's definition of tem-I porary is. As long as the move is not permanent, "I'm willing to go along with the program," the chief said. Mayor Alan Sword is out of town attending a business school, according to acting Mayor Richard Barton.

Barton said Terry is often called upon to act as a patrolman when there are manpower shortages in the police department. Terry sent a letter to the Town Council urging them to hasten their efforts to fill the vacancy in his department that opened Nov. 30. nnrnn anrl Tprrv wnuM tint mate Dollf" the contents of Terry's letter.