Familiar Story; Area Fire Departments Experience Lack of Radio Coverage

Effingham County 911 board members Tuesday heard a familiar complaint; some rural fire departments in the county are experiencing lack of radio coverage.

Actually, it's not always a lack of radio coverage, sometimes it's spotty coverage depending upon where a firefighter is located in the county. Another consideration is the advent of the STARCOM radio system. According to comments Tuesday, some departments can't afford the switch to STARCOM.

There was discussion about forming a committee to address the concerns, but others said 911 already has an equipment committee and an emergency service committee in place so why couldn't those committees respond to the complaints?

A Motorola representative that oversees the STARCOM system here said he could bring co-workers to a future meeting to address the issue. That could include Motorola's plans to add some communication towers.

In other radio business, Mahon said he would be adding a deputy June 1, so asked for maintenance for a portable and a mobile for use in the communication network. Addressing Chairman Tina Daniels said she plans to change some addresses along 900th Street so will seek a meeting of the addressing committee to discuss the changes.

911 Board Chairman Julie Stephens distributed committee assignments for the next term, and no objections were voiced. Issues of radios for the coroner's staff and mile markers along the TREC Trail were tabled until next month.