Bethel Park firefighters to get new emergency radios
Apr. 16—Communication is key for first responders when handling an emergency situation.
Bethel Park officials understand that, which is why councilhas agreed to buy new radios for the firefighters. They are being purchased with money from the borough's fire tax.
The borough will pay about $134,300 for 60 Motorola Apex 4000 radios. The vendor is BearCom.
"We try to upgrade our equipment because that's a vital source for the community, emergency services," Councilman Joe Consolmagno said.
He recalled an emergency that impacted about everyone in the borough.
"Three years ago we had a massive flood that flooded out a lot of the restaurants and businesses," Consolmagno said. "We recognize the importance of having emergency services respond as quickly as possible, just like our public works. They're on top of things every time there's a heavy rain."
"We are replacing all of our hand-held portable radios," fire Chief David Gerber said. "The ones we have right now are 13, 14 years old.
"We've been having a few issues with them. We're having minor problems in the bigger apartment buildings and how their communications are in areas like South Hills Village."
Some of the new radios will also be in the fire trucks and reserved for line officers. The department has about 45 active firefighters.
"We'll be able to have better clear communications," Gerber said. "We've got bigger properties, seven- eight-story apartment buildings. We have to be able to communicate inside and outside.
"Motorola quit servicing the radios we have. They're outdated. You can't buy parts for them."
The radios may be received within the next month or two and are expected to last for at least 10 years.
" We appreciate council's continued support," Gerber said. "All the residents of the municipality are always behind us with everything we do."
Gerber said the equipment will work nicely with the recently purchased thermal imagining cameras.
The department used donation money to buy two Bullard cameras at $8,000 each from 1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment in Moon Township. They are expected to be available in May.
"We use them for search and rescue," the chief said. "It helps to see through smoke and in the dark, to read the heat from body temperature and heat differential. We use them on all kinds of calls."
They replace two old thermal cameras, including a broken one.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .
