By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - The Butler County Emergency Management Agency is helping to acquire a new generator for the sheriff's department so a power failure will be less likely to disrupt the dispatch center's ability to communicate.

On July 4, a severe storm caused a power outage in the central part of Butler County and knocked the sheriff's dispatch center out of commission for part of the evening.

The large generator that serves the jail complex, including the dispatch center, malfunctioned and didn't provide the needed backup power. As a result, 911 calls had to be rerouted by Cincinnati Bell to the Hamilton Police Department, said William Turner, director of the Emergency Management Agency.

"Hamilton police were inundated with calls," he said. "When we lose our county dispatch, we're in trouble."

The Emergency Management Agency has set aside $40,000 in federal Homeland Security funds to buy a backup generator.

The sheriff's department is preparing to advertise for bids for the generator, said Det. Monte Mayer, spokesman for the sheriff's department.

The new generator for the dispatch center would kick in if the generator for the whole jail complex malfunctions again, he said.

He said the sheriff's department appreciates the Emergency Management Agency's assistance in acquiring a backup generator

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com