14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Emergency radio system gets an upgrade

Emergency radio system gets an upgrade

Reporter: Chad Sewich
New Media Producer: Nick Storm 

The attacks on September 11, 2001, highlighted just how antiquated communications between first responders is. A new federal grant will pump millions of dollars into upgrading the emergency radio system.

Responding to a disaster is complicated, and made more difficult when communication breaks down.

Sherman Greer, the Vanderburgh County EMA Director, says, "We learned that lesson from 9-11, and we learned that lesson again during Katrina, that there are a lot of first responders that cannot talk to each other."

In response, the federal government is spending one billion dollars to level the playing field, so every state uses the same emergency radio system.

Firefighter Cliff Weaver, says it's about time the rest of the nation catches up to Indiana which converted to the new system two years ago.

Cliff Weaver, Evansville Fire Chief of Operations, says, "Some of us were on 800, some of were on UHF, some of us were on VHF. The new state system puts us all on a new 800 statewide system, so we can have common channels, so we can actually talk to each other now."

Even though Indiana is ahead of the curve, Hoosiers will still receive around 18 million dollars to continue to upgrade the system. Emergency managers hope the money will be spent to buy more emergency radios. Right now, Vanderburgh County only has about 100 radios not enough for every first responder to have one.

Sherman Greer, says, "With the very limited amount of radios that we have, it is very hard for the right person to have the radio at the right time."

Even though Indiana has a lack of radios, everyone agrees the new nationwide system is badly needed.

Cliff Weaver, says, "In a large disaster we're definitely going to be able to use this and hopefully help save lives." 

Along with Indiana's 18 million, Kentucky will receive over 15 million with Illinois getting nearly 36.5 million for new emergency radios. Certain cities, such as New York and Chicago, will get special allocations due their specific vulnerabilities.