Emergency management outlines new repeaters, shelter upgrades and equipment buys under recent grants

John Wall, Gates County emergency management director, told commissioners the department is finalizing several capital projects funded by grants and county capital-outlay requests.

Wall described radio improvements: the county has replaced outdated repeaters and added an 800 MHz repeater that provides local redundancy separate from the statewide VIPER system. He said those upgrades improve interoperability among fire departments, EMS and the 911 center.

Wall said the county is completing a roughly $90,000 multi-event response trailer project that includes light towers, barricades and digital message boards, and that another $225,000 grant will fund heating and air and a generator hookup at the community center to expand sheltering capability.

Other projects discussed included mobile data terminals for emergency vehicles (to improve direct communications with the 911 center), auxiliary communications (ham radio and satellite/Starlink capability as contingency comms), AED placement, a water-rescue boat refurbishment and a proposed central washer/extractor for firefighter turnout gear to reduce cancer risks. Wall said some equipment will be housed at the Emergency Facilities Center (EFC) at the former prison site and that regional mutual-aid arrangements exist for specialized assets (for example river rescue resources).

Wall also said the department will test a new PACE communications plan as part of a state exercise planned for July and will invite the board to a planning session to update the emergency operations plan (required updates due by September). He asked commissioners to consider a small part-time hire to help with inspections and to support grant management and equipment maintenance.

Commissioners asked for draft capital-outlay summaries and cost estimates for the board to review; Wall said he would provide drafts.