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Putnam County adopts updated communications manual; apparatus numbering change set for July 1
Summary
County staff updated the Putnam County communications manual — last revised in 1986 — and commissioners approved the update, including a change to radio apparatus numbering effective July 1; physical vehicle markings may be changed later by departments.
Michael White, presenting county communications matters, said the Putnam County communications manual had not been updated since 1986 and that staff sought input from law enforcement, fire and EMS. White said the most significant change related to fire apparatus numbering and that some departments raised concerns about conflicts with existing apparatus numbers.
In response to commissioners’ questions, White clarified that radio call signs are what dispatchers use and that the effective date for the new radio call-sign numbering is July 1; physical markings on vehicles can change later as fleets are replaced. "As far as the truck, what's labeled on the truck, I have no care of that or concern," White said, adding that consistent call signs are important for telecommunicators.
Commissioners voted to accept the communications manual update and authorized all three commissioners to sign the document. The motion passed on a unanimous "aye." The record notes there was opposition on the apparatus-numbering change from some in the fire service, but staff said the numbering change reflected input from multiple disciplines.
