The Mendenhall fire department has received some much needed upgrades in terms of communication. The Board approved department purchases of new radios earlier this year in September.
Mayor Todd Booth said that there were miscommunications when responding to calls between the fire department and Mendenhall police Department. It was determined that the miscommunications were due to a breakdown in radio communications.
The fire department will now be operating on the Mississippi Wireless Information Network (MSWIN) radio system. According to the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission, MSWIN offers statewide coverage and is the only statewide interoperable emergency communication voice and data network available to both state and local public safety entities. This gives agencies the ability to coordinate communication with other agencies and share resources.
The Board accepted a bid of $60,619 with Shanks Communications for the purchase of new radios. As of December 4 Mendenhall Fire Chief Brandon Wester said the department is expecting their new radios to be delivered soon. Once delivered the new system would have to be installed in the trucks.
*** New System***
The department is also in line to receive a new fire truck next year. The board accepted the bid for the new fire truck at the total cost of $496,985 in October. The City will receive money from the County and Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program which will offset some of the cost. According to the meeting minutes the city will need to apply for a CAP loan in the amount of $277,000 for the remaining balance on the fire truck. The new apparatus will be a Rosenbauer custom truck.
The Magee Fire Department is also getting a new truck and the two will be “sister trucks.” The two departments worked closely together on the design of the new fire trucks with the goal being to maximize interoperability. A new foam system will also be in place which allows the firefighters to switch between water and foam with the pull of a lever. The truck also comes equipped with a 1500 gpm pump ,which will be the best the Mendenhall Fire Department has had. The new truck is expected to be complete within the next 11 months.
