Starke County COAD Addresses Inconsistencies with Communication Systems Utilized by Emergency Personnel

When Starke County COAD met for the first time Tuesday night, a question from one of the county’s amateur radio operators prompted a discussion about the communication systems utilized by the county’s emergency personnel.

Hamlet Fire Chief and Starke County Council President Brad Hazelton explained that some emergency personnel, such as the Sherriff’s Department, use radios that run on the 800 megahertz spectrum while others, like the fire departments, utilize very high frequency, or VHF technology. Hazelton said, “We can talk to EMS, because they’re VHF and 800 but the police are only 800 and we’re only VHF.” Continue reading

Community Group Aimed at Preparing for Future Natural Disasters Meets This Evening

Community members aimed at addressing needs during a natural disaster will be meeting this evening to establish some guidelines for emergency events.

The Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster group will be looking at future needs and reviewing some things that may have been overlooked during the most recent mass emergency when we experienced major flooding in February.

Emergency Management Agency Director J. Nier, Starke County Council President Brad Hazelton and other officials will be obtaining and delivering information about where individuals can be adequately housed during a disaster, potential donation locations and establishing the chain of command for certain issues. Continue reading

Starke County Council Discusses New Job Title for Jail Employee

The Starke County Council members will be revising the salary ordinance to allow for a Starke County Sheriff’s Office employee helping out with case work.

Newly-appointed County Council President Brad Hazelton read aloud from a letter that an employee who had worked with the county for several years was hired as a part-time jailer at $14.00 an hour, which is higher than the $12.51 rate of pay, because of his many years of experience.

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