PIERRE, S.D. – The unseen voices who answer those emergency calls will be honored next week in South Dakota.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is April 10-16.  Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to men and women who serve as Public Safety telecommunicators and 9-1-1 dispatchers

“Until you need them, you don’t understand or appreciate their importance,” says State 9-1-1 Coordinator Shawnie Rechtenbaugh. “But when you have an emergency, whether it is a fire or safety issue, the telecommunicators and dispatchers are there on the other end of the phone line, waiting to help.”

In South Dakota, there is an estimated 380 telecommunicators and dispatchers serving at various levels.   They are the ones who help bring together first responders during an emergency.

“Their job is an incredibly demanding one,” says Rechtenbaugh. “They work extended shifts under constant and stressful demands. But they are always there, serving those in time of need.”

For more information about the South Dakota’s telecommunication efforts, visit http://dps.sd.gov/sd_911/ and http://dps.sd.gov/enforcement/state_radio_dispatch/.

The state 9-1-1 office is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

The Chilson Bridge on Old Highway 18 has been deemed unsafe and has therefore been closed to traffic.  With the bridge closure Old Highway 18 is no longer a through road.  Those trying to reach Rocky Ford Rd or Paradise Rd must enter from the Edgemont side.  For addresses on Old Highway 18: to access 28186 or higher enter from the Edgemont side,  to access 27953 or lower enter from the Minnekahta/Hot Springs side.

If you wish to make your voice heard about this issue the Fall River County Commissioners will be looking at proposed solutions at the next commission meeting on April 5th.

The American Red Cross and AmeriCorps will be partnering with Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Fall River/Oglala Lakota County Emergency Management to install FREE smoke alarms as part of the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.

Volunteers will be canvassing predetermined neighborhoods on April 9th from 11pm to 3pm.  Installation appointments can be made by calling 605-342-4010 extension 2176.  See the attached flyer for more information. FLYER

The 2016 Assessment Notices for Fall River County were mailed out March 1^st. Property owners need to verify that all of the information on the assessment notice is correct, such as the legal description, number of acres, owner’s name and address, and class codes.

By law, all counties in South Dakota must demonstrate to the Department of Revenue each year that the assessed values are between 85% and 100% of fair market value based on the sales of properties in the county. If a property owner feels that their assessed value is greater than market value, please contact the Equalization Office so the property can be reviewed.

This was the final year in the 3-year Countywide Reassessment. All residential and AG properties have now been reassessed. The summer of 2016 we will conduct a reassessment on all commercial properties countywide.

***REMEMBER*** You will always see some kind of change in your value EVERY year, as properties depreciate or as sales fluctuate. These annual changes should be minimal now that reassessment has occurred. The only time you will see a significant change in your value will be the addition or removal of structures.

Value Report:

BUILDING NOTIFICATION FORMS:

See link

 APPEAL INFORMATION:

See link