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Commissioners direct vendor pricing after volunteers report widespread radio blackout north of FM 1414
Summary
Newton County commissioners directed staff to get technical and cost estimates after volunteer fire officials said digital tower upgrades left handheld radios unable to reach repeaters north of FM 1414, creating countywide coverage gaps and safety concerns.
Newton County commissioners on Monday directed staff to obtain technical guidance and cost estimates to restore countywide radio communications for volunteer fire departments after several speakers said a switch to digital trunking left large areas north of FM 1414 without reliable radio coverage.
The court’s discussion focused on two problems: many handheld radios used by volunteer fire personnel are VHF‑only and cannot access the county's new P25/digital channels, and the digital channel configuration currently prevents routine access to a repeater needed north of 1414. Charles Duckworth, president of Emergency Services District No.6, said the district received its first tax receipts recently and asked the court for a line‑by‑line accounting of prior county expenses before repayment discussions proceed. On the radios, Duckworth added, “I don’t have a problem with ESD paying the money back… but we want it broke down. We want to see it line for line exactly what it was spent on.”
County staff and volunteer representatives described several possible fixes: (1) ask the vendor who installed the digital system whether a new software channel can be added to the existing infrastructure; (2) install a set of analog/digital repeaters at four county locations (Mayflower, Burkeville, Lakewood and Dville) — a prior estimate for a countywide fire channel was “a little over $50,000”; or (3) replace or upgrade handheld radios in the field (one fire chief said replacing about 10 handheld units could cost about $45,000). An official familiar with radio procurement said donor grant funds and spare equipment could reduce upfront costs.
The court did not approve immediate purchases. Instead, the judge said he would contact the radio vendor and bring vendor options, licensing requirements and price estimates back to the next meeting. Commissioners stressed urgency for first responders: “One life is worth it,” the judge said when discussing potential funding approaches.
Next steps: staff will obtain vendor assessments on whether the installed digital equipment can accept added channels and will return cost and licensing options for commissioners’ consideration at a future meeting.
