A'ville ponders new communications system

[SCPD]

A'ville ponders new communications system
By Jared Felkins
The Reporter

Published May 25, 2006
With a nearly 10-year-old, obsolete communications system, the Albertville Police Department is asking the city council to fund a new one at the total cost of more than $1 million.

Albertville Police Chief Benny Womack, Communications Division Supervisor Scott Lacks and representatives from McCord Communications met with members of the city council during its work session Monday night.

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8f0411d046d34fd2

 

[loumaag]

Moved to the regional forum.

 

[OpSec]

What did they buy 10 years ago? Baby monitors? Something they bought in '96 should not be "obsolete"

 

[DARRELL]

The system that was purchased was designed more for businesses than public safety. The fire department hand helds do not meet military specs for moisture. Several of them have been lost due to water getting in them at fire scenes. The system was cut back from the original bid to save money. Leaders wanted a new 800 MHz radio system but they wanted to get it at the cheapest price. The present system only utilizes three repeaters. One for data and that only leaves two frequencies for communications for police and fire. The radio traffic has increased steadily as the city and the police and fire departments have grown over ten years. The repeaters have gone down several times and it is becoming hard to obtain parts for the system. The main problem was a lack of planning when the system was designed and purchased. They cut corners and now it is catching up with them.