Fort Gordon renews emergency covenant with city of Augusta

By Charmain Z. BrackettSeptember 10, 2010

FORT GORDON, Ga. -- Fort Gordon and City of Augusta officials renewed an agreement last week which typified the strong relationship between the two entities.

"I've been on a lot of different military installations - large and small, but I've not seen such a strong relationship as Fort Gordon has with the surrounding communities," said Col. Glenn Kennedy, garrison commander, as he and Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver re-signed a 9-1-1 agreement at the mayor's office Sept. 1.

Originally signed in 1996, the agreement reaffirms and updates the commitment between the two to "ensure 9-1-1/dispatch capability for both government agencies without minimal to no interruption in service," according to a news release from the mayor's office.

"This agreement re-establishes the public safety answering point at Fort Gordon in conjunction with the one in Augusta," said Phillip Wasson, director of Augusta's 9-1-1. "If necessary, we could use theirs and vice versa in the event of a catastrophe." The update to the agreement was needed because of all of the changes in technology such as wireless communications and text messaging.

"This is a very important document. We had to renew it to ensure interoperability," he said.

Kennedy said this is one of many agreements Fort Gordon has with surrounding municipalities.

Agreements between fire departments in several communities allow for reciprocal response to large scale events.

"It's good for us to come to each others assistance and aid," he said.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver called the signing significant.

"This is another strategic partnership with the city and Fort Gordon," he said. "Our relationship with Fort Gordon is a model for the rest of the nation."

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