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Commissioners applaud DPW and 9-1-1 for radios that improved snow-removal communication
Summary
Commissioners publicly thanked Director Eric Brewer and 9-1-1 staff for donating radios that now provide reliable communication in all DPW snow-removal trucks; officials said better radio coverage improved safety and operations during recent historic snow.
Commissioners used the Jan. 28 work session to thank Department of Public Works staff and 9-1-1 personnel for improving communications during a recent snow event, saying donated radios now provide reliable contact for plow drivers.
Speaker 3 publicly thanked Director Eric Brewer and 9-1-1 staff, including Ron Belisandris, and said "We now have radios and means of communication in every 1 of our trucks." Speaker 3 added that the county also has handheld portable radios for key staff and that Mark Kramer, the assistant public works director, has a radio for after-hours coordination.
Officials said the communication tools reduce the need to use cell phones while driving and helped coordination when crews were spread across the county during subzero temperatures and heavy snow. Speaker 3 said 21 of 25 public works employees worked shifts during the recent response, and county leaders encouraged increased staff participation going forward.
Why this matters: reliable radio communication improves responder safety, complies with laws restricting cell phone use while driving, and helps municipal coordination during extreme weather.
Next steps: commissioners praised the collaboration between emergency management, DPW and municipal partners and urged continued readiness for possible additional snow.
