Emergency Communications Tower Replaced After Three Weeks

In Columbia County, New York the main 911 cell tower was struck by lightning, causing $50,000 worth of equipment damage about three weeks ago. The county lost connectivity to their sites on June 25^th.  911 emergency dispatchers still managed to maintain contact with local fire departments, rescue squads and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office throughout the night by operating off of a mobile command unit. Backup radios offered them limited coverage and they deployed 911’s Field Command 1 Unit from the Public Safety building. Three weeks later, the equipment is finally being replaced. All of the equipment has been ordered and the expenses have been approved.