County council had discussed this issue a couple months ago, and I just spoke of it in my thread regarding Greenville County expanding their radio system, so I thought it was ironic that this article was just posted.....
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/nov/06/800-megahertz-system-moves-one-step-closer-approva/
ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County is one step closer to acquiring an 800 megahertz communications system for emergency services, despite warnings from a fire chief in a neighboring area and disputes over the contract’s details.
The County Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night, with Cindy Wilson and Bob Waldrep opposed, to buy the equipment and infrastructure for an 800 megahertz radio system.
A lease-purchase agreement with Motorola Inc. will allow the county to tie into the statewide Palmetto 800 system. The estimated cost of the system is $8.3 million, and the cost is not to exceed $8.5 million.
Ms. Wilson and Mr. Waldrep’s opposition was rooted in the terms of the contract, and the authority it gave to County Administrator Joey Preston to carry out final negotiations.
Batt. Chief Curt Bumgarner of South Greenville Fire came with a warning for the county. His department was part of the 800 megahertz system, but eventually returned the radios because at times his firefighters could not get service inside of buildings.
No one was more vocal than he was about getting on the system, but it didn’t work in his 400-square mile district, Mr. Bumgarner said.
“Ya’ll are going to get somebody killed,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
Despite their concerns, emergency services personnel came out in overwhelming support of the radio system. Fire departments have been testing the equipment and chiefs say it is more reliable than the current VHF system that can’t reach central dispatch from some parts of the county.
People can “what if” the system to death, but “this is the best thing we’ve seen come around in a while,” Three & Twenty Fire Department chief Tommy Keaton said.
Participation in the statewide 800 system is voluntary, and today more than 30 counties use it for everything, said George Crouch, Wireless Technology Manager at the South Carolina Budget and Control Board.
County Council Member Larry Greer asked Mr. Preston Tuesday to present everyone on the council with copies of completed documents related to the purchase, including copies of the contract and attorneys’ opinions, within 10 days. That should give council members enough time to give them further review before third reading.
It’s good to examine the contract closer, Mr. Greer said, but he doesn’t believe it’s in the county’s best interest to delay building this system. The Federal Communications Commission could resell radio frequencies purchased for the radio system if they are not in use by May 2009, and tower construction should take 18 months.
“We can sit and pretend these type things will not hit our communities,” Mr. Greer said. “I know from experience that they can, and they do.”
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/nov/06/800-megahertz-system-moves-one-step-closer-approva/
ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County is one step closer to acquiring an 800 megahertz communications system for emergency services, despite warnings from a fire chief in a neighboring area and disputes over the contract’s details.
The County Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night, with Cindy Wilson and Bob Waldrep opposed, to buy the equipment and infrastructure for an 800 megahertz radio system.
A lease-purchase agreement with Motorola Inc. will allow the county to tie into the statewide Palmetto 800 system. The estimated cost of the system is $8.3 million, and the cost is not to exceed $8.5 million.
Ms. Wilson and Mr. Waldrep’s opposition was rooted in the terms of the contract, and the authority it gave to County Administrator Joey Preston to carry out final negotiations.
Batt. Chief Curt Bumgarner of South Greenville Fire came with a warning for the county. His department was part of the 800 megahertz system, but eventually returned the radios because at times his firefighters could not get service inside of buildings.
No one was more vocal than he was about getting on the system, but it didn’t work in his 400-square mile district, Mr. Bumgarner said.
“Ya’ll are going to get somebody killed,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
Despite their concerns, emergency services personnel came out in overwhelming support of the radio system. Fire departments have been testing the equipment and chiefs say it is more reliable than the current VHF system that can’t reach central dispatch from some parts of the county.
People can “what if” the system to death, but “this is the best thing we’ve seen come around in a while,” Three & Twenty Fire Department chief Tommy Keaton said.
Participation in the statewide 800 system is voluntary, and today more than 30 counties use it for everything, said George Crouch, Wireless Technology Manager at the South Carolina Budget and Control Board.
County Council Member Larry Greer asked Mr. Preston Tuesday to present everyone on the council with copies of completed documents related to the purchase, including copies of the contract and attorneys’ opinions, within 10 days. That should give council members enough time to give them further review before third reading.
It’s good to examine the contract closer, Mr. Greer said, but he doesn’t believe it’s in the county’s best interest to delay building this system. The Federal Communications Commission could resell radio frequencies purchased for the radio system if they are not in use by May 2009, and tower construction should take 18 months.
“We can sit and pretend these type things will not hit our communities,” Mr. Greer said. “I know from experience that they can, and they do.”
