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Published Tuesday, March 09, 2010 in Local
Legislation needed for public safety radio system
The Newnan Times-Herald
A piece of local legislation introduced in the Georgia General Assembly is one of the last steps needed for Coweta County to begin the implementation of a new radio system for public safety.
Coweta is partnering with several other jurisdictions to create an 800 MHz system for public safety communications.
The systems are the latest technology, but are incredibly expensive. The partnership amongst the various members of the Western Area Regional Radio System allows considerable cost savings.
Coweta County voted to join the authority about a year ago.
Because the authority was created by an act of the legislature, it takes an act of the legislature to make any changes to it, said State Rep. Billy Horne, R-Sharpsburg, who is sponsoring House Bill 1225. State Rep. Lynn Smith, R-Newnan, and legislators from other members of the authority are co-sponsors of the bill.
Horne said he originally wanted to introduce legislation that would allow future members to join without an act of the legislature, as long as all the members agreed but "it would have been a bit too tedious," he said.
The other members of the authority, which was created in 2004, are Carroll County, Douglasville, Haralson County and Heard County.
In December, Coweta County performed "balloon tests" for a new radio tower that will be erected at the Temple Avenue Recreation Complex in Newnan.
A second tower will be built in Senoia, behind the ball fields at Leroy Johnson Park. Coweta radios will also use towers located in Franklin and Whitesburg.
Studies are continuing on the tower sites and "we expect those to be completed by April 30," said Patricia Palmer, Coweta's public affairs director.
"Once we get those approvals, and the local legislation is passed, then we will be able to hire companies to build the towers," Palmer said.
Funding for the 800 MHz system was included in the $20 million fire bond issuance approved by voters in 2008.
The system is being built for the Coweta County Fire Department. But Jay Jones, Coweta's emergency management director, said in December that he expects other agencies to come on board, eventually.
"They will have to decide how or when they want to come on board," Jones said of each agency. Once the system is operational, new agencies would just have to purchase new radios.
"This is something that has been needed, and has been talked about, in public safety for many years," Jones said in December.
Comment On This Story
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There is no federal legislation requiring public safety agencies to switch to digital radio or regional radio systems by any date, 2013 or otherwise. Yes, updated radio equipment and systems may be needed, but the County is not mandated to join a regional radio system or go digital. Don't make the readers believe this has to be done!
Posted by Radios Wrong at 12:47 AM
Izzy, I understand your frustration. I too have suffered because of the recession. But right now, we have Deputies and Officers who are unable to reach their dispatchers via radio in some areas of the county. This often leaves them in a very vulnerable position. This new system is long overdue. Please be patient.
Posted by Officer at 4:26 AM
This radio system is being put in to comply with legislation passed by the feds which requires these changes, and which MUST be done by 1013. Coweta does NOT have a choice in whether or not to do this.
Posted by Amazed at 2:05 AM
Pay attention mom, people lost their jobs and homes but the State keeps burning money like it's free. In my misguided little world that's not right.
Posted by Izzy at 1:04 PM
Izzy pay attention - Times are tough, but Coweta is not "broke" This is funded by a bond that Coweta voters overwhelmingly passed in Nov. 08 - a bond that is fully used for public safety - making our community safer for all of us.
Posted by just a mom at 11:57 AM
Then recession's over!! Government money just keeps on flowing. Or is it a parallel universe where money's available. Is the country broke or not? Anyone know?
Posted by Izzy at 9:53 AM
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Radios
12/3/2010
Link To This Comment
The only FCC mandate for 2013 is to operate on 12.5 kHz channels, analog or digital. Most all radios purchased in the past 8 years are capable of being programmed to 12.5 kHz channels. Has anyone asked what it will cost to maintain these systems after the "Free" grant money has been spent. Taxpayers take out your wallet, Motorola will be asking for you to pony up. Beware of "Free" grant funded radio systems. Almost forgot, these P25 radios are about 5 times the cost of the current conventional analog radios, oh ya, taxpayers buy the radios too.
Posted by wondering at 3:57 PM