FDs get FEMA grant for new radios

8/12/2020

The Central Bridge, Huntersland, Middleburgh and Schoharie Fire Departments have been awarded $92,000 in grant monies through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. 
The primary goal of the AFG program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards.
For the past three years, these departments have worked together and have applied for a FEMA regional communications grant; with this year’s award, the four fire departments plan to purchase new portable high-band radios. 
One essential part of fire operations is that first responders  must have strong and clear communications.  Communications are essential to protecting life and property at firefighting operations, traffic accidents, rescues and more.
Unlike extrication tools that are used only at motor vehicle accidents or ropes and harnesses and pulleys that are used for specific rescues, portables radios are used at every single fire call, said spokesman John Borst of the Schoharie Fire Department.
Schoharie County is in the process of updating its emergency communications system, switching from a low-band system to a high-band system.
When the new county communications system is in place, the older low-band radios used by the fire departments will no longer be able to communicate with the County 911 call center. 
The new high-band radios purchased through the FEMA AFG program will provide these four fire departments with interoperable communications with the County 911 call center, Sheriff’s Office, neighboring fire departments and all of our neighboring counties. 
More information about each of these fire departments can be found online at their respective Facebook pages.