"Ensuring that our commonwealth's first responders can communicate effectively is a critical concern that we are addressing throughout Kentucky," said Governor Fletcher. "As many Kentuckians understand, whenever we cannot get cell phone coverage in an area, it is a real inconvenience. But, whenever our first responders cannot get radio communications, it can have very serious consequences. This funding to Calloway County will help fix this problem and ensure a greater level of public safety for this community."
The homeland security check presented will enable the county to purchase a communications voting system which will improve signal coverage when the county's first responders are on the fringe of the coverage area. This system will be installed throughout the county on existing towers currently being used by the fire department and will provide the sheriff's office with greater connectivity when traveling in the more rural areas of Calloway County.
"I'm delighted to have the Governor and our General Assembly be a part of making the work of our first responders more effective and responsive," said Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray).
"Local funds for our city and county police, fire and emergency personnel are always in short supply and this is one more opportunity to enhance their communication capabilities," said Rep. Melvin Henley (R-Murray). "These homeland security funds provide us with a great opportunity to provide our first responders the additional technology to ensure they have what they need to do their jobs. We have learned the hard way, since September 11, how crucial communications is when the difference between life and death is a split second."
The Governor also named the City of Murray and Calloway County as "Prepared Kentucky Communities;" the result of a five-day vulnerability assessment conducted by security professionals with the Kentucky Community Preparedness Program. Assessors analyzed facilities, structures and security policies and their relationship to each other in order to identify the community's weaknesses and analyze preparedness levels. The team then presented a report of recommendations for improvements.
Among the advances the community has made since the assessment includes the completion of training by all Murray Police Department officers in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the addition of new policies for mutual aid and unusual occurrences. The county and university have also reviewed policies and procedures to better prepare them to react to a critical incident.
