Dodge County first responders are a step closer to having a new public safety radio system. The $10 million dollar project is designed to keep everyone safe during an emergency situation.
First responders rely on a radio system to communicate with dispatchers.and get information on where they need to go for an emergency call.
But, in parts of rural Dodge county, the system isn't always reliable. "The dispatchers have a hard time hearing the deputies, the deputies have a hard time hearing the dispatchers. They've relied, in certain parts of the county, on using their cell phones," Fremont Fire Capt. Tom Christensen tells 6 News.
Four new towers are being built across the county so that the sheriff’s office and rural fire departments can join the Omaha regional interoperability network.
That will allow Dodge County first responders to request help from surrounding agencies in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties.
“For larger incidents, like on the fireside of things, Omaha Fire’s hazmat team to come up here, we can have seamless communications. Omaha’s police helicopter has come up in the area multiple times either for law enforcement reasons or search and rescue reasons,” says Christensen, who is overseeing the project.
Fremont Fire has been on the radio system for two years already. He says the system has been working well since they joined.
"I know the deputies are very excited about it because they can see the deficiencies in their own radio system and we kind of have them patched in when they are in the Fremont area because there is coverage," Christensen tells 6 News.
Three of the four towers are now in place. The goal is to have all construction done by the end of fall and to turn on the system by the start of the new year.
(Photo by 6 News)