[Scan-DC] Brown the man behind Bartow County Scanner public safety initiatives

[Alan Henney]

The Daily Tribune News (Cartersville, Georgia)

June 22, 2015 Monday  
Web Edition

Brown the man behind Bartow County Scanner public safety initiatives

BYLINE: Jessica Loeding

SECTION: NEWS

LENGTH: 1391 words

He's not police, fire or EMS, but thousands of people associate Barry Brown with Bartow County public safety.The water treatment plant operator may be better known to his 20,000 Facebook followers -- and the community as a whole -- as the man behind the Bartow County Scanner. "I have been asked many times if I ever sleep. I work nights on a four days on, four days off schedule," Brown said. "This gives me free time during the week to do other things and spend time with my family. We like to travel and occasionally take mini trips during our off days."While the scanner may have made Brown recognizeable, his community service extends far beyond the digital realm.The soft-spoken Euharlee resident spearheaded the creation of the Bartow County Health & Safety Fair, which returns for its third year on Aug.  

22 at The Hope Center."The Health and Safety fair was an idea I had after seeing similar events in other counties. Bartow County has some great providers and agencies; they need an event to showcase their specialties and educate the public," he said.Brown also helped begin the Community Emergency Response Team in Euharlee, which eventually became the county's CERT group. He volunteers time with other agencies, including serving on the board of United Way of Bartow County.When he began the scanner six years ago, Brown never imagined the operation would be so successful and create the opportunity to offer a new type of public service. "My interest in public safety is to inform, educate and to help others."

Name: Barry Brown Age: 38City of Residence: EuharleeOccupation: Water treatment plant operatorFamily: Wife, Patti; five relative children we have/had guardianship of -- three grown, two still with us.Education: High school

How did you come to be the man behind the Bartow County scanner? How was the idea born and brought to life? A: I grew up with a scanner in the house. My dad had one and would listen to it occasionally. As a teen, I was pulled over once and he heard it on his scanner. I didn't get into trouble, but from that moment on, I knew it was a reliable source of what's going on. I started listening to scanners online but Bartow County was not listed. In December of 2009, I got my dad's old scanner. Cobb had went digital and he couldn't use it anymore. Within a few days, I had it broadcasting online. I also started the Bartow County Scanner Facebook page to coincide with it, mainly to get feedback. I never knew it would be so popular.

You also have been behind the creation of the Health & Safety Fair and the beginning of the CERT team. How did you become involved with those and what are you interests regarding public safety? A: The Health and Safety fair was an idea I had after seeing similar events in other counties. Bartow County has some great providers and agencies; they need an event to showcase their specialties and educate the public. CERT -- Community Emergency Response Team, a FEMA program -- was started in Euharlee by a group of residents wanting to be prepared to help others if a disaster struck. I was on the original committee, and when the elected coordinator decided to step down, I was asked to take his place. Shortly after that, Euharlee CERT was transferred to the county under the EMA. My interest in public safety is to inform, educate and to help others. CERT has given me the opportunity to do just that.

As a person involved in these public safety avenues, what do you see as the biggest issue facing our emergency personnel? A: As an outsider looking in, I see some issues that face our public emergency personnel. The biggest one, and this is something nationwide, is pay. I know several people who quit because they can no longer afford to support their families. Many of those who continue to serve their communities depend on side jobs to make ends meet. Another issue is the radio system. Bartow currently operates an older system that has dead spots and sometimes is unreliable. This is a big safety issue as communication is very important. A new system was approved by voters in a [special purpose local option sales tax] and is in the works. I am unsure exactly what system they are going with; I know having interoperability with neighboring counties was a goal at one time. Hopefully the new system will still be available to the public, not encrypted like Polk County is.

Is there a "most interesting" call you have heard in your time operating the scanner? A: There are many calls that I will always remember. There has been a few that left me sitting on the edge of my chair. One in particular was an incident where a deputy was responding to a call, I believe it was a suspicious vehicle. The deputy radioed in that he was being shot at. Being able to listen as it happens, and hear the officer's tone in his voice, you feel you are there and experience firsthand the dangers they face with any call. It gives you a new-found level of respect for what they do. Another similar call was the men shooting at officers going up I-75. While I doubt the show "COPS" will feature Bartow County, the scanner is the next best thing to a ridealong in your home.

Would you be a police officer, firefighter, EMS or other public safety? And why? A: Twenty years ago, I would say yes, I would be a police officer, firefighter or EMS. Actually, I wanted to be a paramedic/EMT but never pursued it. Now, I am not so sure. It seems like respect, especially for law enforcement, is at an all-time low. You turn on the TV or visit any national news website and there is usually a story about an officer. Social media has played a role in that as well. I no longer follow any of the major news because I found myself getting angry at some of the comments others make. Without knowing all the facts, people are quick to judge. The scale in the court of public opinion is not balanced. Furthermore, I enjoy my job providing clean, drinking water. I guess my ideal job would blend water treatment and public safety.

What makes Bartow County special? A: Bartow County is special because of one thing, the people! While we may be different in various ways, when there is a need, Bartow County citizens pull together to get it done. When the tornado hit in 2011, there were hundreds of volunteers willing to give up their time to help clear debris from stranger's homes. Again in 2013, Adairsville was struck by a tornado and people were willing to help cleanup and rebuild.Financially, people in Bartow give a tremendous amount to charitable causes. One that I will speak of, mainly because I am currently on the board, is United Way of Bartow County. Many hardworking citizens give through payroll deduction because they believe in helping a neighbors in their time of need. Another example, which I am also passionate about and serve on the committee, is Shop with a Hero. It is the generosity of the citizens that allow these underprivileged kids to get a little special attention and shop with local public safety and military personnel around Christmas. As a child, I was on the receiving end of programs like this, so it is now my time to give back and keep it going.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? A: Most people are surprised that I don't actually work in public safety. I guess with the scanner page, they think I have some inside information. Something else people may be surprised to know about me, and I was told to say this before, was that I can do a pretty good Elvis impersonation. I don't perform in public, but do some online karaoke from time to time.

What talent do you lack that you would love to have? A: Something that I wish I was better at would be soliciting sponsorships and vendors. This is my weakness when it comes to organizing the Health and Safety Fair. I am not good at approaching someone I do not know and asking them for something. There were some other ideas that I have had in the past and one a friend and I are working on now -- a public safety appreciation ball -- that requires community involvement financially; hopefully I can overcome this weakness and help make it happen.

What is your favorite meal? A: Hard to choose. I am not all that picky, but I do love my wife's homemade lasagna.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things could you not live without? A: My family, my dogs and toilet paper.