Radio system shows vast improvement; new tower likely to go up when the weather breaks
It?s only been a week, but since a $46,000 radio console was installed at the Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department, the system is operating at 100 percent capacity, according to State Electronics senior technician Andy Barth. While the testing process is still ongoing, with two phases of work left to be accomplished, including the installation of a tower at the sheriff?s department building in Rogers City, it?s still a vast improvement, Barth said.
When Barth was brought in by State Electronics to investigate the problems, which reportedly had been in place for years and were magnified by a lightning strike in 2002, the system was operating on a ?hit or miss? basis.
THE VERDICT is still out, but there?s a level of comfort that?s being felt among emergency personnel in the county. ?It?s a lot better,? said deputy Joe Brewbaker. ?There?s a little more of a safe feeling knowing that when we call in now, it seems that it is picking up everything. We seem to have a lot better communication now.?
There were favorable comments made from an Alpena County official who would like to see that county?s radio system brought up to the level now being experienced in Presque Isle County. Barth is still looking for input from officers and dispatchers and has asked them to make notations when something goes wrong. There were two or three entries Tuesday, but Barth said ?None of the problems have to do with the actual installation of the console.?
THE INSTALLATION of the console was a smooth process January 14, with virtually no down time. ?We were able to switch them over within a regular working day,? said Barth, who has been calling every day to see how things are running, and planned a site visit today (Thursday). When Barth checked the system, he made sure the audio levels were consistent and that the paging system worked without cutting out.
?In other words, every time you hit that button it will work, and that?s exactly what was happening,? said Barth. ?It was working perfectly as it was supposed to.? ?We?ve had nobody calling in saying, ?I?ve been trying call you, you haven?t heard me,? ? Brewbaker s
THE NEW RADIO tower, which is currently under construction, is expected to be available within the next couple of weeks. That will leave officials with the decision about when to install it. Even with the extreme conditions, Barth would like to do it as soon as possible. The cost of the tower, which will be paid out of the county 911 fund, is $21,950, according to emergency services coordinator Bob Paschke. Sheriff Terry Flewelling told Barth if it took until March that would be fine.
Barth commended the staff at the sheriff?s department for their assistance through phase one. He especially appreciated the help of dispatcher Bob Hughes. ?He describes the problems as they come up in an incredible way,? Barth said, ?which helps me. The entire staff…has really made this as easy as possible.?