5/29/13 - Livingston County EMS and 911 Dispatch are working together with a local fire department and township government to reinforce the lines of communication for local emergency responders. EMS and 911 currently have a primary emergency communication facility at Hillcrest Tower, complete with an independent power supply, but 911 Director Don Arbic says if something happens at that site much of the countyâs emergency communication would go down with it. EMS and 911 are currently working out a contract with the Howell Area Fire Department and Oceola Township to turn the disused cell tower behind the Latson Road fire station into a backup communication tower. The deal is currently being reviewed by attorneys. However, Arbic tells WHMI the fire department tower has no backup power generator. A deal being struck would have the fire department install a generator at the site. In exchange for a one-time fee of about $16,000 from EMS and 911, the fire station would operate, maintain, fuel, and inspect the generator while providing backup power to the tower. For using the tower itself, EMS and 911 will only have to provide basic maintenance to the area such as trimming vegetation, maintaining the fence, and paying the electric bill. Arbic says it is a fantastic deal that will increase the stability of emergency communication in the county. (TD)
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