[Scan-DC] Problems with digital radio network force Kanawha to keep using analog system

[Blair Thompson]

Kanawha County, West Virginia

http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140802/GZ01/140809906/1419

Saturday, August 2, 2014 

Problems with digital radio network force Kanawha to keep using analog system 

By Rusty Marks, Staff writer

Kanawha County sheriff’s deputies are reporting problems with a $40 million digital radio system that is supposed to allow emergency responders to talk to one another all over West Virginia.

“It’s a great idea, but it needs more development to come to fruition,” said sheriff’s department spokesman Cpl. Brian Humphreys.

In January 2010, the Kanawha County Commission held a special ceremony at the Courthouse to start passing out more than 740 new digital radios for use by emergency-service providers in the county. The radios were funded by a $1 million appropriation orchestrated by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va.

The radios were to be part of an interoperative radio system to improve radio coverage and allow agencies all over the state to communicate with each other. Terrance Lively, public information officer for the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said the state has spent about $40 million on the digital radio network. Some of the money came from state and federal grants and is part of a nationwide push to upgrade emergency services to digital communications.

Lively said about 70 radio towers have been built across the state, with another six towers planned or under construction. 
....

Reach Rusty Marks at rustymarks at wvgazette.com, call 304-348-1215 or follow @rusty_marks on Twitter.
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