Fisher County Precinct 2 Commissioner Dexter Elrod proposed the court consider changing the name of an isolated stretch of CR 213 to avoid confusion with first responders in case of an emergency in his precinct. Although the court must comply with regulatory procedures before permanently changing the name, the court agreed to discuss the matter further next month.
Commissioner Elrod explained to his fellow commissioners that there was an isolated, one-mile portion of CR 213 that causes confusion with its connecting road to the south, confusion that could have dire consequences in an emergency.
In the most northern portion of Elrod’s precinct, near the Fisher and Stonewall county lines is about a 1-mile stretch of CR 213, where there are little more than a few scattered hunting lodges.
A person would likely turn onto CR 213 where it intersects with Hwy 92 about four miles east of Rotan. 15 miles to the north, CR 213 dead ends where a tributary of the Brazos washed away the through-road years ago. 213 picks up on the other side, where it continues north for about a mile before ending at an intersection at a T-junction with CR 460.
However, just one mile to the west, CR 233 parallels CR 213, where at its most northern point, makes an Scurve to join 213 where it picks up on the other side of the tributary. Elrod’s proposition is that the most northern — and isolated — section of CR 213 be changed to be included as part of CR 233, which also intersects Hwy 92 about a mile before 213.
Elrod also pointed out that it is a 10-mile —11-min — drive to travel 233, while it is a 16-mile — 33-min — drive if you travel down 213 only to find the through-road is no longer a connection point to the lodges.
“It’s a little change that might not amount to nothing, but if somebody was waiting on an ambulance or something, it would make a lot of difference I feel,” said Elrod.
This was a point where Fisher County EMS Director Chase Jarvis also agreed. “Maybe it’s a sign of the times of the times but cardinal directions don’t work as well for the younger generations,” said Jarvis in a later interview.
Having been a local resident for several years, Jarvis said there are roads that connect and others that don’t that even the best GPS systems are unaware of. In a highturnover industry like EMS, rural communities regularly hire younger employees that are often new to the area or commute from out of town.
“We’re pretty dependent on GPS, especially for those that are unfamiliar with the area,” said Jarvis.
A key component will be communicating the change with the sheriff’s department, as law enforcement is often dispatched to the same emergency and is often the best source of local knowledge for the younger crewmembers when navigating the rural areas of the county.
Fisher County Sheriff Randy Ford agreed with the logic of the proposal, saying it would no doubt take some time for the various GPS maps to catch up, but once they do, it will be seamless.
If the court ultimately approves the change, the first mapping change will happen at the local 911 level. The Fisher County Sheriff’s Office will notify the West Texas Council of Governments—the agency that oversees this region’s 911 dispatching system—informing the agency of the change, which will be amended in the system.
Although the court took no action on the proposal, as there is a public notification process the county must adhere to before officially making the change, commissioners agreed to begin the process and are expected to have more information when the court meets again in October.