Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hailey moves toward new emergency system

Homeland Security requires regional planning for grants


By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

The city of Hailey on Monday became the second of Blaine County's 11 emergency-services providers to be included in a statewide plan to better coordinate communications systems.

The City Council agreed to a memorandum of understanding authorizing the county to represent it on the District 4 Interoperability Board. The Blaine County Ambulance District has already given its approval.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated its intention several years ago to bring increased "interoperability" among law enforcement, emergency response and public works agencies across the nation. The federal government provides money for the new communication system but requires that counties and municipalities work together to secure grant funding, which is distributed by the states.

The Idaho plan divides the state into three regions and six districts. Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary and Director of County Operations Char Nelson were appointed to represent the county and all its emergency-response providers on the District 4 board, which has already had two meetings. Chief Deputy Sheriff Gene Ramsey is an alternate.

Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter told the Hailey City Council that Ramsey was instrumental in getting a $1.3 million grant a few years ago to build three "repeater sites" in the county for using the new radio spectrum bandwidth. Ramsey said a fourth site is planned for Galena Summit.

Hailey emergency personnel received seven 700-megahertz compatible handsets, purchased with money from the grant.

As Hailey adopts the new 700-megahertz system, the city could face further equipment purchases down the road.

"Unfunded mandates would be likely," Ramsey said.

Hailey Fire Chief Mike Chapman said the city did not have to jump on the 700-megahertz system, but that it would be "a good thing."

County representatives are scheduled to make their next presentation on the subject to Wood River Fire & Rescue on Jan. 13.

In other Hailey news:

· The council agreed to send requests for proposals to consultants for a study that could consolidate fire departments in the south county. The decision followed a "summit meeting" of fire fighting and emergency-response agencies late last summer.

· The council agreed to extend for two years a hauling agreement for transferring waste sludge from the city's wastewater treatment facility to Ohio Gulch, pending protests by companies who would like to vie for the contract with open bidding.

· An audit of the city's finances over the last year showed that general fund revenues were down 20 percent (about $1 million) and water and sewer funds were down 17 percent from last year. The city's auditor said that through careful planning and budgeting the city ended the year with a $100,000 surplus in its general fund.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.