LETTERS: Problems in department do exist
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the story about serious problems in the Marion County communications department. I have been involved in volunteer emergency services in Lincolnville for 15 years, and I am very familiar with the shortcomings the system has had and continues to have to this day.
I am confident that Ronald Mueller, as a member of the communications committee, is motivated only by a strong desire to seek solutions to problems and in so doing, he approached the county commissioners with a report that details what he has found to be inappropriate decisions and actions.
My hope is that the commissioners will give this matter the attention it warrants and formulate a system that works for all of the county.
I have had personal experience with failed attempts to contact the dispatch center many, many times. We also have had numerous incidents of not being able to receive a radio communication of an emergency to which we were to respond. The only action I have noticed to alleviate the problem has been lip-service with no real remediation of the problems.
I am convinced that only with oversight by the county commission will we be able to fix the problems. I urge them to aggressively pursue a solution and take necessary actions to keep our emergency services viable.
Without the ability to notify responding agencies of an emergency, the 911 system does not work.
Barry Montgomery, EMT-I
