By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Henry County and City of Paris officials came together Tuesday evening to discuss the current public safety communication network issues and what can be done about it.
The workshop was held at the County 911/Emergency Management Agency office in downtown Paris and officials heard reports on common needs, available funding sources and long-term needs.
In a nutshell, the problem is dead zones in the county which make it impossible for emergency personnel to communicate with each other. “Most people in the county aren’t aware that there are gaps in communication,” Paris Mayor Carlton Gerrell said, “but it’s a scary thing when not all emergency responders are able to communicate with each other in all parts of the county.”
911 Director Mark Archer said the inability of first responders to communicate directly with each other has led to some potentially dangerous situations. “We’ve had situations where our EMS workers have been beat up by people on meth while they’re on emergency calls and emergency workers who couldn’t get all the information they needed” to answer emergency calls. “We’ve had a lot of experiences like that.”
Archer noted that the EMS workers can’t speak directly to the volunteer fire departments and the fire departments can’t talk directly to the sheriff’s office. “They all have to go through a third party and the new system we’re proposing would solve that.”
The city of Paris and Henry County are working together to produce an upgraded digital communication system. Archer noted that the 911 board already has approved $230,000 to upgrade the radios in the county’s two 911 centers, plus $250,000 toward the total project. Additionally, the city and county will apply for $315,000 apiece in CDBG grants. “With those two grants and the money from 911 that will put us at $900,000 toward the project before we even start,” Archer said.
Estimates are that the project will cost $1.2-$1.3M, he said.
Henry County’s communications systems are operated on analog and need to be upgraded to digital. Paris City Manager Kim Foster said, “No one likes to spend $1.1M, but it is a necessity. We’re dealing with antiquated equipment that needs to be updated. If we don’t start planning for upgrading to digital now, we’ll be left behind.”
Henry County Mayor Brent Greer, Gerrell and Foster applauded the work that has been done by Archer, EMA Director Ron Watkins, and 911 IT Manager Chad Howard. “They’ve done a wonderful job of putting it all together,” Foster said.
Rob Goad, grant writer for Northwest Tennessee Economic Development, said the local community “is one of the most forward-thinking communities I’ve worked with. I do think this is a very strong project and personally I think it’s a great project. I’ve talked with state officials and they are waiting for the application to arrive at their offices.”
Greer said, “We’re firm believers in the project for the future of Henry County as a whole. Regardless of where in the county an accident happens, we need to have people able to communicate with each other.”
Sheriff Monte Belew said, “This is a great example of how the city and county works together for the betterment of all the citizens and I appreciate the way everyone comes together and works as a team in Henry County.”
In attendance at the meeting were county commissioners, city commissioners, Belew, Chief Deputy Damon Lowe, EMS Director Twila Rose, and other law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Photo: City Manager Kim Foster, City Mayor Carlton Gerrell and County Mayor Brent Greer speak at tonight’s workshop. (McFarlin photo).
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