[Scan-DC] St. Mary's County's Next Gen radio system

[Alan Henney]

http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/pdf/75157/1

https://www.the-chesapeake.com/2017/10/31/st-marys-county-911-haywire-costs-life-of-infant-rescue-chief-slams-officials-for-lame-operations/


Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Bay District Volunteers" <bdvfd at bdvfd.org>
> Date: November 4, 2017 at 18:00:40 EDT
> To: "Bay District Volunteers" <bdvfd at bdvfd.org>
> Subject: A Petition for Change
> 
> 
> As many of you are aware St. Mary's County's Next Gen radio system suffered yet another failure the morning of October 24th 2017. For years the County Fire and EMS departments have pushed for change only to be ignored by the county government and its elected representatives. This recent incident underscores the need for transparency and effective management of our County Emergency Services and Technology department. For years we have voiced our concerns again only to be ignored. Our county Fire and EMS system is at a cross road and depending on what takes place in the coming weeks may make it better or even worse.
> We are asking for support and a few minutes of your time. Below is a petition that you can send to St. Mary's County Commissioners to ensure your voice is heard. You can write your own or use the template attached. Download the template and email it to CSMC at stmarysmd.com use the subject line Petition for change. One template is for residents of St. Mary's county and the other is for members of St. Mary's county Fire and Ems. Thank you for your time and concerns with this ongoing problem.
> Robert Wahrenbrock 
> Fire Chief Bay District Volunteer Fire Department 
> 
> Shawn Davidson 
> Chief, Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
>  

St. Mary’s County Commissioners
P.O. Box 653 
Leonardtown, Maryland 20653

Commissioners:

As a member of the St. Mary’s county Fire and EMS system I am urging you as my elected officials to hear my voice. My personal safety and the safety of my family, my community and my colleagues have been compromised since your predecessors combined the county IT department with Emergency Services. I urge you to take immediate action to address the ongoing issues with the management at ES&T that have been brought to your attention many times privately and publicly. In addition to that I am personally calling for an outside investigation of the Department of Emergency Services and Technology and full audit of the following:

1.    The selection process for the current radio system

2.    The protocols and procedures for managing the radio system

3.    The specific actions of ES&T staff before, during and after the events on 10/24/2017

4.    The organizational structure and effectiveness of ES&T

5.    The fitness of Bob Kelly to lead ES&T

I am confident that the only way to make our system the best it can be is by an honest and through outside investigation and evaluation of our system.  I appreciate your support of emergency services volunteers who provide vital services in our communities at a huge cost savings to you and our constituents.  I also recognize that the growth of our county requires we adapt to changing needs.  I will continue to support my local department and serve my community with pride.  I ask that you support your emergency services volunteers.  


Sincerely,