Prospect to beef up communication resources for emergencies, events
PROSPECT — New communication equipment will improve the borough public safety in emergency situations, thanks to a purchase approved Monday, Oct. 7, by borough council.
Ten waterproof, construction-grade, two-way radios will allow emergency responders and borough officials to communicate during a variety of natural disasters, according to borough emergency management coordinator, Sam Wagner. Wagner is also president of the Prospect-Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department.
“If we have a real emergency, we need our own communication system to stay in contact with all the people involved,” Wagner said.
The rechargeable units run on a “private frequency” and do not rely on cellphone systems, he said.
The 22-channel Retevis RB48 radios will cost a total of $319.99.
The purchase is an important step toward emergency preparedness, according to Prospect resident Bill Marciniak, a former council president.
“You always have to have communication,” he said. “An emergency — a hurricane, a fire — the mayor has to communicate with the police, the fire, the EMS, the borough people, also Butler County.”
The devastation of Hurricane Helene in the southeastern U.S. highlights the importance of local response, Marciniak said.
“Before FEMA comes into play, you have to start with local emergency management,” he said. “You hope you never need it, but you never know.”
The radios could also promote public safety at other borough events, like parades and festivals, emergency coordinator Wagner said.
In other actions, council approved $11,775 to replace the concrete floor in its municipal garage and adopted a resolution to support the commonwealth’s America250 initiative.
“The resolution encourages all Pennsylvanians in all 67 counties to recognize and celebrate Pennsylvania’s contributions to the country over the last 250 years,” Borough Council President Brian Taylor said.
Council also approved a proposed improvement to the borough’s gazebo, situated on a lot next to Prospect Community Library.
Liam Throm, 17, of Prospect, will paint the gazebo as a National Honor Society project. Liam is a junior at Slippery Rock Senior High School.
