By Stephen Smoot
Every quarter, Pendleton County and state emergency management representatives gather in Franklin to cover important issues and trends in public safety.
At the opening of the meeting, officials discussed growing fire hydrant issues. Bruce Minor, Franklin town councilman and representative for the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, pointed out that fire hydrants struggle to keep up with modern equipment. He said “the pumpers run about 1,500 gallons a minute.”
Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, added that “these modern pumpers out pump the water system.”
Minor added that “the hydrants are a concern,” then shared that the Town of Franklin had spent approximately $3 million on a water project that would include upgrades. “It’s about 90 percent done,” Minor stated.
Gillespie then gave an update on the communications tower installation at Seneca Rocks. He explained that the concrete pad that forms the foundation has been installed and the road to the site paved.
The company tasked with erecting the tower, however, has a backlog of work, forcing Gillespie to state that “the goal is to have it up by December.” He shared that “we’re still working on the best solution for the building to house the radio equipment.” Concrete sheds that can protect equipment from ice falling from the tower jumped in price from around $30,000 to approximately $100,000. Gillespie told the committee that he would not pay $100,000 for something that was so much less expensive not too long ago.
Committee members then discussed radios. Gillespie announced that grant money would fund the replacement of the Pendleton County Sheriff’s Department’s radio system. “Outdated” hand held devices would be upgraded.
The group then discussed problems with the county’s mobile system of radios. Too often, they do not always work because they get carried into remote areas with poor or no service. Gillespie said, “There will be places where they will never work.” Mobile repeaters were cited as a solution to extend range as far as possible.
Both the State and AT& T have deployable mobile boosters that can expand bandwidth when needed.
Frank Wehrle, Town of Franklin administrator, shared that the town has improved the system of surveillance cameras in the park. The first generation of cameras, he explained, gave a broad overview of the grounds. Recent additions to supplement the original system, however, have high resolution capability, which offers “really, really sharp views.” Wehrle added “within range, you can see everything.”
Mike Alt, Pendleton County Emergency Rescue training officer, then voiced concerns that he had over the safety of emergency rescue personnel entering dangerous domiciles.
“We’re having issues that are causing problems,” Alt stated, sharing that in recent years, the interior conditions of many homes have significantly deteriorated. Emergency responders must often enter residences with hazardous levels of urine, feces, trash, bedbugs, rodent infestations, and more.
“Everyone else can refuse to go in but us,” Alt explained. Law enforcement and firefighters do not have to enter dangerous locations. “It’s a public health issue for us.”
He then explained that in his outreach to county agencies, he learned that no one has direct jurisdiction over the inside of such homes. He assured the committee by saying “these people are living there.”
“Why would you expose yourself to bedbugs, ticks, fleas, and more, then take that home to your kids?” Alt said. He added that COVID was part of the problem “getting out of control.”
