New 911 Tower Must Be Up By May

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Cannon County's Homeland Security Committee met for the first time in recent years Tuesday. Faye Morse was asked several questions about monies awarded to the County from the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Roy Sullivan, Cannon County 911 Communications Director, asked if the funding was still in place for the new 911 tower. The tower is a result of the State wanting to improve all interoperable communications. The tower will be located on property at Pleasant Ridge.

The money was awarded in the 2008 Grant and came with an extension until 2011 to complete the project. Because the project had to fulfill obligations, including an environmental and drilling stud, it took 14 months to complete. The money in the grant was carried over to the 2009 Grant which extended the completion of the project until 2012.

After looking at the Grant budget, Sullivan couldn't locate where the money was carried over and became concerned that the project would no longer be funded by the grant.  EMA Director Faye Morse assured him several times during the meeting that the money was there and that the project could go on as scheduled.  Morse also communicated several times through emails that the funding was still there for the project.

The grant is a reimbursement grant which means the money will have to be spent and reimbursed by the grant money.

County Executive Mike Gannon said that as long as the money was in place, he wants the tower put up as scheduled and doesn't want the County to have to pay for any of it. EMA Director Morse replied that the turnaround of invoices versus payment will be a lot quicker than normal. The County has until May 2012 to complete the project.

The FCC has notified all emergency agencies for several months to alert them to a mandate that will be upcoming in that wideband radios will be changed to narrowband radios. Not all wideband radios can be converted to the narrow band, therefore new radios have to be purchased in order to meet the mandate.

Cannon County has over 300 radios of which none can be converted to the narrowband frequencies. During a USAI (Urban Area Security Initiative) district meeting earlier this year, the head of the district wanted an inventory done of all agencies in the county of who have radios, and where radios are assigned.

Cannon County asked for the funding of 300 radios; however, they were given 27 portables and 9 mobiles. Sullivan had turned in a list of the departments he inventoried. He then explained to the Committee that the rest of the list should have been Director Morse's responsibility to turn in the rest of the list which included Eastside, Short Mountain, Mooretown, Midway and Bradyville Fire Departments.

Director Morse countered that she emailed the list of all the departments that she had had inventoried both to Mr. Sullivan and the Chairman of the Communications Committee and those particular fire departments should have been among those counted on to receive the new radios. The County will need at least 20 more radios in order to better serve the county.

That list was never turned in leaving those fire departments off the list to recieve the new radios. The county will need at least 20 more radios in order to better serve the county.

The next step will be for the Tower project to be put to bid. It will not take long to get the actual tower put up on the property. The Homeland Security Committee will meet at least once a quarter. The next scheduled meeting will be in January.

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CANNON COMMUNITY
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Members Opinions:
October 01, 2011 at 7:04pm
I would think that Ms. Morse should be replaced,If not doing her job will cost the taxpayers any money,Also should the equipment assigned to Home land security be used for personal use??? In my opinion it should be stored a Sheriff Dept.untill needed.
October 01, 2011 at 8:36pm
In response to the article on the 911 tower for Cannon Co. When you say Cannon Co. has over 300 radios that can't be converted who owns these radios? The County or the emergency people that respond to the calls? As a former Cannon Co. firefighter there is no way there are 300 emergency personnel in Cannon Co that have there state I.S.O.
Certification that is required by every Dept.
I.S.O. Requires each emergency person to complete said training of no less than 30 days for each training session .Maybe its time for Cannon Co. to step forward and get new people after 15 years that have a new outlook for our county than will help all the county not just some.
davidferrelldandtlawncare@yahoo.com
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October 02, 2011 at 8:05am
sounds like a lot of dust kicking over nothing
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October 02, 2011 at 6:23pm
Faye Morse does NOT get PAID and has done more for the people of Cannon County than most people will ever understand. She has brought some organization to what was a shameful mess. Perhaps former deputy Sullivan could use some of his taxpayer SALARY time to help with the tower! The next time you dial 911 you can thank Morse and many others for the help that arrives. If you have a complaint, volunteer with a fire dept. or Rescue Squad or just call "ftenpenny" for help and wait for him to respond!
October 02, 2011 at 9:08pm
ncstl.I guess that will explain why there was no meetings of homeland security for 5 years,an the list for the fire dept. were not turned in.read my post again just ask a question.as I have said before no name no creditabilty.Again I ask how much is it going to cost the taxpayers.for her not doing her job.
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October 03, 2011 at 9:12pm
Faye Morse has done a fantastic job! It seems that a few power hungry individuals are trying to cause trouble and should tend to their own business. Roy Sullivan is paid by the taxpayers and could be replaced easily and some of the just hate to see a female do a good job. Someone may correct me but I have been told that Faye Morse is not paid a salary to do this thankless task. I say leave petty politics out of this and let her do her job. She can get more done just half trying than these complainers could exerting their best effort.
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October 04, 2011 at 11:11am

If the EMA Director and the 911 Call Center Director were the same person would Cannon County be better served?
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October 05, 2011 at 9:51pm
probably no-is roy looking for more titles and power?
October 06, 2011 at 4:06pm
I already have a title. 911 Director.

I don't need multiple titles. But if I do, Mr Sullivan would be adequate.
October 06, 2011 at 9:49pm
Antique, I think you may be right,It should be one an the same.At least the taxpayers would be able to see the homeland security equipment parked at the 911 center.The way it is now no one knows were it is at.An Roy good answer.
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October 07, 2011 at 7:18am
just as arrogant and egoistical as i expected , roy
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