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County staff report radio-communications gaps and a 14.7-acre brush fire at local solar facility
Summary
Staff briefed the board about radio-system problems identified in a fire/EMS study and proposed an independent radio-system study and governance changes; they also reported a 14.7-acre brush fire at a Water Strata solar facility traced to a single panel with one panel removed for forensic testing.
County emergency-services staff on May 4 updated the Halifax County Board of Supervisors on a fire/EMS study that identified gaps in EMS staffing and radio communications and on a recent brush fire at a local solar facility.
"They have found several issues with our current radio system," the emergency-services presenter reported, citing broken cables and tuning problems and recommending an independent study of the countywide radio system, the establishment of a reporting cadence for the board, and a review of staffing and training standards over the next 30–60 days.
Staff also described a brush fire at the Water Strata solar facility near Nathalie that burned about 14.7 acres (inside and outside the facility fence). The presenter said the ignition appears to have started at a single solar panel that 'had a short in it' and that a single damaged panel was removed and sent for forensic testing by the state fire marshal. No adjoining properties were reported damaged and the facility remained largely operational; staff cautioned about access and water/low-voltage safety when fighting fires at solar sites.
Supervisors discussed perimeter access, fuel conditions, and possible ordinance or site-plan changes to require broader maintenance or fire breaks around solar installations. Staff said they will follow up with more information on the panel forensics, recommended safety changes, and an action plan to address radio communications and EMS staffing issues.
