|
July 2, 2008 For more information, contact: Homeland Security Committee Distributes Radios Emergency response agencies in Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties receive interoperable radios ST. JAMES—Thanks to the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee’s program, 24 emergency response agencies now have narrowband hand-held radios. Each agency received two Motorola portable radios along with two batteries, a charger, carrying case and remote speaker microphone. Radios were programmed with state and federal interoperability channels as well as mutual aid channels. Agencies awarded radios this round included: Cuba Police Department, Crawford County E-911, Steelville Police Department, Missouri Baptist Sullivan EMS, Sullivan Fire Protection District, Salem Police Department, Conway Volunteer Fire Department, Nebo-Falcon Volunteer Fire Department, Region I Homeland Security Response Team of Rolla, Missouri S&T Police Department, Crocker Police Department, Dixon Police Department, Dixon Fire Department, Pulaski County Ambulance, Maries County Sheriff’s Department, Laclede Office of Emergency Management, Lebanon Rural Fire Department, Sleeper Volunteer Fire Department, Eldridge Fire Department, St. John’s EMS, Vienna Fire Department, Leasburg Fire Department, Maries County Emergency Management and Bourbon Fire Department. The cost of the radios, accessories and programming software and cables totaled $90,031, with Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee picking up the bill, using its Homeland Security Grant funds. "This is just a classic example of how the committee works and what it is about. It has been a pleasure to be able to do my part," said Paul Rueff, Region I HSOC chairman. The Region I HSOC formed an interoperability committee and asked all emergency response agencies to complete surveys to determine what agencies were without narrowband capabilities. Those agencies that requested interoperability grant funds in 2006 and 2007 were awarded radios as were those agencies that completed surveys and lacked any narrowband capabilities. “Our goal is to bring all agencies up to a minimum level of interoperability. It will take multiple years to do so, and the committee is focusing on the neediest agencies first,” said Amy McMillen of Meramec Regional Planning Commission. “There is still time for agencies to complete the survey in order to be considered for future awards.” Emergency response agencies can contact McMillen at 573-265-2993 or by email at amcmillen@meramecregion.org. Under a contract with the State Emergency Management Agency, MRPC acts as the HSOC’s administrative entity and fiscal agent. McMillen thanked Jonathon Ayres, director of the Laclede County Office of Emergency Operations, and Phillip Pitts, operations specialist with the Laclede County OEO, for their work in programming the radios with state and federal interoperability channels and requested mutual aid frequencies for all 24 agencies. The Region I HSOC, established along the boundaries of the State Highway Patrol Troop I, includes Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties. Jurisdictions represented include emergency management, police chiefs, sheriffs, fire, county health departments, homeland security rescue teams, public works, mayor/city administrators, county commissioners, private industry/public utility, emergency medical services, 911, volunteer groups and schools. Paul Rueff of Rolla, representing the Phelps County Disaster Committee, serves as chair, and Linda Hanrahan, St. James Ambulance District, is vice chair. The HSOC also includes ex-officio representatives from various agencies, including Missouri State Emergency Management Agency Area Coordinator, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Water Patrol, Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Science & Technology, Mark Twain National Forest, United States Geological Survey, National Park Service and United States Department of Agriculture. Three counties in the Meramec Region—Gasconade, Osage and Washington—are served through other regions. Gasconade and Osage counties are a part of Troop F, which is being coordinated by the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Ashland while Washington County is a part of Troop C, which is coordinated by the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Perryville.
|
||||
