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Chase County officials and Prairie States Communications outline steps to diagnose and repair emergency radio problems
Summary
County emergency management, dispatch and Prairie States Communications briefed commissioners on radio failures; the county will pursue licensing (estimated two to four weeks), explore raising the Wauneta antenna and reprogramming radios, and establish a chain of command for reporting.
Representatives from Prairie States Communications joined Emergency Manager Duane Dreiling, dispatcher Chuck Bartholomew and Deputy Sheriff Justin Mueller at the March 24 Chase County Commissioners meeting to discuss reported emergency radio failures.
Rick Elliott, of Prairie States Communications, said he needs more specific diagnostic information than the summary phrase "they don't work" to determine the root causes and appropriate fixes. Discussion among dispatch, deputies and emergency management identified possible fixes including raising the Wauneta antenna, separating digital from analog channels, additional licensing and reprogramming radios.
Jan Elliott of Prairie States Communications said a clear chain of command would help expedite troubleshooting. Commissioners directed Rick Elliott and Emergency Manager Duane Dreiling to communicate directly, and asked department heads to funnel concerns through Dreiling. The firm estimated securing additional licensing will take about two to four weeks and identified licensing as the first step; commissioners said they want measurable improvements sooner rather than later.
No formal motion or vote was recorded; the board paused the discussion earlier in the agenda and later resumed it with the additional vendors and staff present.
