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Westmoreland County's New Mobile Emergency Command Post Now In Service:
County Commissioners, Congressman Murtha Dedicate $700,000 Command and
Communication Center
Posted 04-28-2003
The Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners today joined U.S. Congressman John P.
Murtha (D-12th District) and local emergency service providers to dedicate the county's
new Mobile Command and Communications Center.
This morning's dedication took place
outside Mount Pleasant Fire Department's Central Station -- just one of the many local
communities that will benefit from the new Mobile Command Center, which was made possible
through a federal grant from Congressman Murtha.
"This mobile Command
Center will be a tremendous asset for all the citizens and communities in Westmoreland
County because it greatly improves the ability to respond to all sorts of emergencies or
disasters," Murtha said. "I am proud that I was able to help with funding, but
certainly the leadership and vision of Commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso were
essential in building the support and cooperation among all of the emergency responders
involved."
"Westmoreland County
is unquestionably better prepared to respond to emergencies today," Commissioner Tom
Balya said. "Congressman Murtha continues to play a crucial role in helping keep
county residents safe and ensuring our first responders are best prepared. The Mobile
Command Post is just one of the initiatives we have undertaken with his support. Our new
800-MHz radio system is the perfect complement, and thanks to Congressman Murtha, we are
able to furnish every emergency station with compatible portable units."
The $700,000 Mobile Command
and Communications Center was made possible through a $2 million State and Local Emergency
Preparedness Grant secured by Congressman Murtha. The county is using the remaining funds
($1.3 million) to purchase approximately 1,000 portable radios for the new 800-MHz
high-band emergency radio system.
"The Mobile Command
Center is a significant regional asset that will be available to all jurisdictions during
times of emergency or disaster," Commissioner Tom Ceraso said. "We are very
thankful for Congressman Murtha for his support. He continues to represent the best
interests of the residents of Westmoreland County."
At today's dedication,
Westmoreland County Director of Public Safety explained the many benefits of the new
center.
"The Mobile Command
Center has seven complete dispatch positions that allow us to conduct routine 911
operations from the field," Matason said. "Since it is a true 'hot standby'
backup system, we will routinely use the center to handle dispatch on demand. Several
telecommunications officers will be selected randomly to report to the mobile site for a
portion of their regular shift to perform their dispatch duties."
Other benefits of the
system include:
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Low-band VHF, high-band VHF, UHF, 800-MHz,
and vehicular repeater radio capability.
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Terrestrial, wireless, and satellite
telephone capability, as well as wireless and satellite Internet.
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An on-board generator and external lighting
system.
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A command area in the vehicle and command
tent attached to the curbside of the vehicle for long-duration operations. The external
tent module has access to telephone, TV, and radio from external jacks on the
vehicle’s curbside.
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Two 359-degree telescoping poled mounted
power zoom cameras that allow full surveillance of the command post and operational area.
The Mobile Command and Communications
Center is a Freightliner chassis, with a 30-foot-long "box" to house equipment
and personnel. The truck was assembled by LDV in Wisconsin. The communications equipment
installation was performed by Motorola at Staley's Communications in Greensburg.
The Mobile Command Post is part of
Westmoreland County's efforts to greatly increase its public safety posture. Other
initiatives include a new 800-MHz high-band emergency radio system, which is scheduled to
go on-line in July 2004, a re-addressing project to ensure quick response, and a new
HAZMAT rescue truck. |
