FARMINGTON — Franklin County’s emergency radio transmissions have improved since Thursday, when members of the county’s Dispatch Advisory Board told commissioners there were problems with audio, choppiness and dropped calls.
It is a public-safety concern for emergency responders and the public, Farmington Police Chief Jack Peck reiterated Tuesday.
Two executives from Zetron Inc. of Redmond, Washington, met with commissioners Tuesday to answer questions and explain what is being done to improve radio communications. The county bought a Zetron Max Dispatch console and it was installed this past spring.
Zetron sent the county a software upgrade on Jan. 31 to fix the audio problems. The county’s communications system consultant Rick Davol worked on the system Thursday and Friday and transmissions have improved.
Stan Wheeler, director of the county’s Regional Communication Center, said he listened to dispatch calls from Friday to Monday and they were going through and were clear.
The audio issue has been addressed, he said. Some minor issues have not been resolved but are expected to be soon with a new software upgrade being released. A company technician will be on hand to make sure it is working.
Scott French, vice president and general manager of Zetron’s Americas division, apologized because “it took a long time to listen to Stan and Rick” about concerns they raised.
Zetron has assigned a team to work with the county to make sure the system is working correctly. It is viewing the Franklin County system on a daily basis, French said. The company can access the system remotely.
Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox said her officers did not report any dropped calls or syllables over the weekend. She also reached out to dispatchers who said they felt better about communications but did not have confidence in the system.
French said the company will work with the county until all issues are resolved and confidence has been restored. The company won’t start the county’s warranty on the console until that happens, he said.
Franklin County Commissioners Clyde Barker of Strong, right, and Terry Brann of Wilton, seated next to him, talk with Zetron Inc. executives (not shown) Tuesday about problems the county has had with regional communications. (Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal)
Stan Wheeler, left, director of Franklin County Regional Communications Center in Farmington, listens to Mark Cranmore, second from left, senior product manager for Zetron Inc. answer a question about a dispatch console from Franklin County commissioners Tuesday. Scott French, vice president and general manager of Zetron’s Americas division, Rick Davol, county communications consultant, and Tim Pellerin, Rangeley Fire/Rescue chief, also listen to Cranmore. (Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal)
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