Radio system failures expose critical maintenance neglect

During a recent government meeting, officials addressed significant concerns regarding the maintenance of the county fire radio system, which experienced a failure due to a power outage in the Holly Hill area of Big Flats. The outage led to the malfunction of a microwave system housed in a radio shelter, primarily because the backup batteries had not been maintained and were found to be dead.

The undersheriff highlighted that this issue is not isolated, suggesting that similar maintenance problems likely exist at other radio tower shelters throughout the county. He emphasized the need for a dedicated electrical contractor to conduct monthly inspections of these facilities, ensuring that all electrical components—including batteries, generators, and transfer switches—are functioning properly. The undersheriff noted that current maintenance responsibilities assigned to the buildings and grounds department may not be effective, as their staff often gets redirected to higher-priority projects.

The discussion underscored a pressing need for a revised maintenance agreement to ensure the reliability of the county's emergency communication systems. Officials anticipate that a resolution addressing these maintenance concerns will be forthcoming, as the lack of proper upkeep poses a significant risk to public safety.