[Scan-DC] [Somerset County, Pennsylvania] Officials explain need for new Somerse t County radio system

[Blair Thompson]

This is not of local interest, unless you're a railfan who goes up to Sand Patch or someone who drives through on the Turnpike. You need a subscription to read it on the Johnstown newspaper site.

http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/local/somerset/officials-explain-need-for-new-somerset-county-radio-system/article_fe2a730e-79a1-11e3-a9c5-001a4bcf6878.html

[quote]Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2014 11:00 pm 

By MICHELLE GANASSI Daily American Assistant City Editor michelleg at dailyamerican.com

Posted on January 9, 2014 
 
by MICHELLE GANASSI  

In the past 20 years technology has changed many times over.
 
But the communications system used by Somerset County public safety personnel has stayed basically the same.
[/quote]

This site does not require a subscription:

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/x1186902433/Why-Somerset-taxpayers-are-upset

[quote]December 31, 2013

Why Somerset taxpayers are upset 

David Hurst  dhurst at tribdem.com 

....
An $8.1 million plan to upgrade the 911 system remained the biggest target of residents’ concerns. County officials say the system is decades old and needs to be replaced, partly because the county must abandon a low-band microwave frequency, which is now being made available to cellular phone companies.

 The county has settled on a project that would provide new radios to local fire, police and EMS departments while creating a new communications system that would allow local responders to communicate with their counterparts in Westmoreland and Fayette counties as well as several others.

“We can’t wait until the system goes down to replace (it),” Tokar-Ickes said.

 The county saved on the project by joining with Westmoreland and Fayette, she added.

“I don’t like tax increases either ... but look at the big picture,” Somerset fire Chief Jim Clark said. “What if you’re trying to communicate with someone who is fighting a fire inside a building and all you hear is silence on their line.”

Betta said no firefighter has died locally because of 911 radio system issues. He said project supporters were trying to use “scare tactics” – a claim firefighters disputed.

 Tokar-Ickes said the entire 911 project only represents a fraction of 2014’s millage increase – about a half mill.

“It all adds up,” Betta said, explaining his vote against the project.

 Vatavuk said he understood his vote will be the unpopular one, but he voted with his conscience on “what’s best.”

 “I’ve never cast a vote just to get re-elected, and I won’t now,” he said. “I’m doing what I think is right.”
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