White Co 911 Addressing Holes In Dispatch Coverage

White County E-911 has plans to continue improving its radio system next fiscal year.

Director Suzi Haston said the department wants to install two new repeater sites at the Eastland and Central View Fire Departments.

“We expect huge improvements especially around the Eastland area and Central View area,” Haston said. “We have some dead spots, because of hills, valleys and mountains.”

Haston said the planned repeaters come after a new 65-foot antenna recently installed at North End Fire Department. Haston said coverage along Highway 111 to Hamptons Crossroads has vastly improved.

“We used power poles,” Haston said. “To build an actual tower, the cost is above what we could do right now, so some of our fellow departments told me about using the power poles, so we got 65-foot ones and the antenna is placed on that.”

Haston said the White County 911 switched to digital in 2012. Haston said coverage studies have been conducted since then to find the areas in need. Haston said the system is used for dispatching EMS, fire and sheriff’s office.