Staff Writer

Beginning next week, Pike County residents may find a stranger on their doorsteps.

Those strangers will be working to ensure quick response in the event of an emergency by handing out information on E-911.

New E-911 director Jan Dismukes said MSAG Data Consultants, Inc. of Orange, Va. will begin field verification on Wednesday, June 27 by distributing packets that will ask for much-needed information.

"We need them to fill out the forms and return them as soon as possible," Dismukes said of the forms contained in those packets that should be returned within 10 days.

The forms will ask for such information as current addresses. When mailed back, MSAG will compile the information, which will eventually be sent to the post office so mail will be delivered to the correct address once the process is complete, Dismukes said.

Officials with MSAG have told Dismukes they will begin distributing the packets in the northern portion of Pike County.

"It’s important everyone end these forms back as soon as they can because we have deadlines to meet and the entire process has to be up and running by November 2002," Dismukes said.

She also pointed out the new E-911 system was something voted on by the people of Pike County during a referendum.

"It’s going to be a challenge," Dismukes said of the entire process of collecting data and mapping.

Dismukes said she’s proud to be in "on the ground floor" of something that will ensure "better service of emergency services from communities of Pike County.

"I’m excited to be involved in something so important," said the Pike County native who graduated from Pike Liberal Arts School and attended Troy State University-Dothan.