By Jim Hook
Public Opinion
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — Franklin County is lining up the final radio frequency for its new emergency communications system.
“This is the last hurdle,” said Dave Donohue, Franklin County Emergency Services director.
Hardware is being installed in the new emergency communications center at Cumberland Valley Business Park. Dispatching stations should begin moving into the center, one by one, starting in May, Donohue said. The system should be operating around June.
The county started the process of improving 911 communications after the 911 terrorist attacks on the U.S. in 2001.
Franklin County Commissioners borrowed $4 million in 2004 for the project. Police forces, municipalities and fire and ambulance companies have spent millions more on radios that will work with the high frequency system.
The goal is to erase dead spots in the communications system and to allow first responders to communicate directly with each other during an emergency.
A lot of other 911 centers had the same idea, and applied to Federal Communications Commission for the use of frequencies.
“We’re surprised at how long it’s taken,” Donohue said. “It is moving forward rapidly. They were getting a lot of these applications in.”
The FCC questioned the potential interference on a frequency shared by a Perry County television station operated by Heirloom Ministries, Elliottsburg.
“Coverage maps do not show us covering that area,” Franklin County Administrator John Hart said.
Donohue said a county computer analysis has indicated that county emergency communications will not cross the television signal.
Heirloom Ministries also must look at the issue.
A reporter’s calls to the TV station on Friday were not answered.
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