Coalhurst approves purchase of fire radios

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

The purchase of new radios for Coalhurst firefighters has been approved for this year.

During their regular May 7 meeting, Coalhurst town council discussed an addition to their 2024 budget.

The Coalhurst Fire Department has 12 radios, half of which are 20 years old. While they currently work on the CFD radio system, they are failing to work properly during emergency alarm activation, and the department can no longer get parts to repair them. Additionally, the department can house up to 26 firefighters, and in the event of a full roster, more than half the firefighters will not be equipped with a radio, creating a huge risk for members when responding to fires and other emergency situations.

Newer models can call for help by having the firefighter press a button to alert command and dispatch they are in trouble and need help, but this safety feature isn’t available on the older radios.

As such, the department was asking permission to purchase 18 additional radios and related programming equipment to complete the fleet. This will be enough for every firefighter in the event of a full roster, and provide some spares in case one gets damaged. CFD estimates the cost of the order being about $165,000, but the order is anticipated to come in a little less. 

Council had previously discussed this item at an April Committee of the Whole meeting. Town CAO Shawn Patience said this item was a “clarification” based on the previous discussion.

Coun. Deborah Florence said she appreciated the RFD coming forward, as when they had the information presented to them previously, she felt they needed to “stew on things and see some numbers” as the conversation has escalated so quickly.

“I didn’t feel comfortable approving it at that time, and now with this information, I’m feeling much more comfortable approving it,” said Florence. “These radio units are incredibly important to the safety of our firefighters as they are out, wherever they are in different places, and for their communication.”

Coun. Jesse Potrie noted how “baffling” the price of the radios were, but they were an important piece of equipment.

“They can cook in ovens and save a person’s life, or survive, I guess I should say,” said Potrie. “It was shocking for me to hear that, that the fire department is kind of under supplied, I guess, at the moment, if there was a large event.”

Council passed a motion approving up to $165,000 funded from the Fire Reserve for the purchase of eighteen (18) rad     io units for the Coalhurst Fire Department.