Plan approved to begin work on consolidated 911 center in Sebastian County

Wes Milam has a lot to do. Between now and early 2027, he’s been tasked to lead an effort to consolidate 911 operations in Sebastian County that includes millions of dollars spent for new equipment, hiring of staff, and construction and renovation of a 911 headquarters.

Milam, the newly named director of public safety communications for the City of Fort Smith in charge of standing up the River Valley Communications Center (RVCC), met Tuesday (June 24) with the RVCC Governing Board to obtain approval for his plan to get the center operational by the spring of 2027.

The planned RVCC will be a regional dispatch center for police, fire, and EMS services for all jurisdictions within Sebastian County.

A key part of Milam’s work, which the governing board approved, includes hiring a construction manager at risk to renovate an existing structure at 4501 Burrough Road in Fort Smith, and add new construction to the existing building. The consolidated center will be in a building that once was the Whole Hog Cafe restaurant. The city bought the property for $575,000 in a deal that closed Nov. 16, 2024. The operation will have about 50 employees, according to the city.

Part of the construction includes building what is called a “FEMA-compliant” structure to house the main operations of the 911 dispatch center. The construction also will include a radio tower at the site. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements include flood and wind protection.

An initial budget for construction, renovation and communications equipment was $10.143 million, but Milam said that number will most likely change. He told the governing board his goal is to get a wide range of quotes on equipment from various providers. He stressed that his hope is to obtain the best equipment possible for the lowest price. Also, the communication equipment will be compatible with all of the various models used in the county.

“That’s going to change,” Milam said after Tuesday’s meeting when asked about the initial quote. “We’re going to go back and look at other (communication) systems, and other cost plans for those. … And when we get that (construction manager) and they work with MAHG (architects), we’ll get a better idea of what our building will cost us.”

In addition to estimates for equipment and landing a construction manager, Milam’s other goals include developing a proposed organizational structure, obtaining approval of a 2026 operating budget, approval and work to install a computer-aided dispatch system, and developing plans for backup systems.

Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said the project does have a tight timeline, but encouraged the board to “not make hasty decisions” that will cost more in the long run or reduce effectiveness of the center.

In addition to Baker, members of the RVCC Governing Board are Sebastian County Judge Steven Hotz, Fort Smith Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman, Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion, Fort Smith Fire Chief Boyd Waters, Sebastian County Director of Emergency Management Travis Cooper, Director of Fort Smith EMS Tim Hearn, Sebastian County Rural Fire Association President Tom Sizemore, and Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow.