Thrusday, January 14, 1999
Disaster aided communications
County system getting grant
BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BATAVIA — Response to the 1997 flood and tornado re-enforced the need for improved communications among various emergency agencies.
This week, that quest — which actually began more than a decade ago — took a big step forward when county commissioners approved an agreement with the state to allocate $681,000 toward an advanced 800-MHz communication system.
The allocation is part of a $788,000 grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant program for fiscal 1998. The money will be disbursed by the state, typically as reimbursements as projects progress.
The grant also includes: $77,000 for downtown revital ization in Milford; $20,000 for grant administrative costs; and $10,000 for agriculture preservation planning.
“Finally,” Jim Owens, the director of the county's emergency management, said Wednesday. “We've had the need for a long time. We've been talking about this since I came here in '89, but I think the flood and tornado were an emphasis.”
The county was criticized, particularly during flood recovery, for its inability to coordi nate efforts with affected municipalities. The new system, which could be in place by February 2000, would rectify that, using a single channel on an advanced system with numerous “satellite” facilities.
During flood recovery some communities, for instance, did not always know what neighboring communities were doing because their communication systems were on different channels.
The new system also would speed up law enforcement.
The system would cost $12,658,836, according to a Dec. 16 “Public Safety Communications Improvements” report sponsored by county commissioners.
The county in 1997 received a $1.8 million grant through the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS). That money will go toward the communications upgrade.
The project's proposed timetable includes a pre-bid conference Jan. 22, a contract signed by May, equipment optional by October, and the complete system in operation in February 2000.
The total, according to Clermont assistant county administrator David Spinney, is a 50 percent increase from the previous grant. The complicated funding formula has many factors, including population growth, and Clermont is one of the state's fastest-growing counties.
Bad behavior might be just a yelp for help
Enquirer names new editor/VP
Roads back to sheets of ice
Leaky roofs soak schools
Potholes close parts of highways
Schools watch kids after early dismissals
Chabot guaranteed place in textbooks
Qualls says city must change faster
Widow, church seal deal allowing her to stay
'Good kids' will do time for pawn shop armed robbery
Judge allows Flynt trial delay for surgery
A warm popcorn welcome
Cincinnati teachers among highest-paid in Ohio
Council adds $14.5M for pet projects
A boy grows to womanhood
Airport may lengthen runway for non-stop to Asia
Audit into Butler Co. engineer's office expands
BFI sues Warren Co. over landfill by BY MICHAEL D. CLARK The Cincinnati Enquirer
Whew! Cincinnati off 'worst' list
$3M to Cincinnati inner city
Ambulance runs to cost nonresidents
Boone commissioner wants to settle Genesis suit
Coroners combat child abuse
Disaster aided communications
Fort Thomas picks police chief
Grant to help Clermont upgrade communications
Hamilton group aims to beautify Ohio 4
Harrison to upgrade streets
Lebanon anticipates antiques show crowd
MainStrasse markets itself
Mason will add officers to reflect growth
Mayor resigns in Glendale
Monroe to sell bonds to pay loans
New governor names 4 to Cabinet
New partner adds clout for Levee developer BY TERRY FLYNN The Cincinnati Enquirer
Norwood to spend $1 M to fix streets
Old school is issue in S. Lebanon
Reward offered to find school vandals
Seminars offer helping hand to working women
Smoke alarms available for hearing-impaired
Sunday Salons offer lively discussion
Suspect charged with passing counterfeit money
System would track diseases in county
Three ex-officials plead not guilty
TRISTATE DIGEST
Fight for Lucas' seat under way
