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Commissioners discuss emergency radio 'dead spots,' weigh $44,000 in repeater fixes and tower repairs
Summary
Newton County commissioners spent substantial time on Oct. 21 reviewing emergency-communications gaps after reports of 'dead spots,' hearing estimates of about $44,000 for repeater work and roughly $48,000 to repair a tower, and discussing next steps including handheld radios for schools and an MOU with the sheriff's office.
Newton County commissioners devoted much of their Oct. 21 meeting to an update on countywide emergency communications after several elected officials and staff reported radio 'dead spots' that they said hamper responses.
A committee member who led the briefing said the sheriff's office and fire departments have worked to improve coverage but that gaps remain. "That $44,000 was on repeater, breather, maple iron boot, and SRA time," the committee member said, describing equipment and installation estimates and noting other related costs. He added, "I'll spend the $44,000 just because of the safety concerns I got with dead spots in my precinct." (Committee member)
Commissioners discussed how new repeater equipment could be deployed and…
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