Fire departments, 911 receive new radio gear

Thanks to a $687,000 federal grant, St. Mary Parish fire departments and the 911 system unveiled a communications upgrade that went live Friday.
Charlotte Angeron, St. Mary 911 Director, said 10 of the parish’s fire departments — from Morgan City and Berwick to Cypremort Point and Four Corners — were upgraded to the new 700 megahertz system.
The 10 departments participating received portable and mobile radios, while St. Mary Parish Communications E-911 upgraded from one console station to three, Angeron said. The 911 system dispatches for fire departments across the parish. Police departments, meanwhile, do their own dispatching.
Centerville Volunteer Fire Department was the hosting agency for the FEMA and Department of Homeland Security grant valued at $687,412. Angeron said 911 paid a 20 percent match for a total project cost of $859,265.
The project was more than two years in the making. The grant was received last April and applied for the April prior, Angeron said.
“It’s going to allow for greater interaction between agencies and make sure we comply with all federal mandates for the system,” Angeron said.
The 700 MHz system allows for greater clarity and the ability to talk to multiple departments at one time, she explained.
The departments will maintain the ability to utilize the old VHF system in case of problems with the 700 MHz system as well, according to the director.