Thursday, February 9, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
The Chronicle News
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Chronicle News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Medicine Park

Medicine Park first responders need new radios

The Chronicle News by The Chronicle News
August 13, 2020
in Medicine Park
0
First responders looking to secure grants for new telecommunication equipment
1
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

You might also like

Carolina chickadee | The Southwest Chronicle

Medicine Park unveils holiday celebration plans

2022 Erath High Homecoming Court

MEDICINE PARK – First responders in this Comanche County town are enlisting assistance from a local grant-writing professional in their bid to secure funds to buy nearly three dozen radios plus body cameras and a communications signal repeater.

The community’s police and fire departments are coping with a shortage of 800 megahertz radios that are 13 to 15 years old and are at, or near the end, of their design life. A telecommunications repeater is needed, too, because of several “dead spots” in town – such as Granite Ridge and along Medicine Creek downtown – where two-way conversations are non-existent or garbled because of static, Assistant Police Chief Tom Crawford said.

The Medicine Park Police Department has two full-time and eight part-time officers, but only four hand-held two-way radios.

The entire state has a necklace of communication towers, but Medicine Park has poor reception in some areas because of line-of-sight issues dealing with radio transmission and reception, he said.

When first responders enter some buildings downtown, a dispatcher often can contact them only by calling them on their personal mobile telephones because their hand-held department radios get no reception in those locations, Crawford said.

When Medicine Park first responders are downtown in areas along the creek or in locations that are out of the line-of-sight with telecommunications towers, their outdated radios cannot communicate with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department, the Lawton Police Department, the Lake Patrol, nor with Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWF) personnel, Crawford said.

When a fight broke out last month at Bath Lake, the dispatcher had to call police officers on their mobile phones because, “We had no radio reception down there,” Crawford recalled. In turn, the officers had to dial 911 in order to contact their dispatcher.

The manufacturer of the town’s two-way radios quit making replacement parts and software for those obsolete models last year, the Board of Trustees was told.

Consequently, Medicine Park first responders need 35 new 800 MHz radios, the board was informed: 10 hand-held units for police officers and five units for police vehicles; a dozen handheld units for firefighters and eight units that would be installed in fire department vehicles; along with 10 “body cams” for the police plus a repeater.

A repeater receives a signal and retransmits it. Transmissions are extended so the signal can cover longer distances or be received on the other side of an obstruction. A repeater stationed at a higher elevation can enable two mobile stations that are otherwise out of line-of-sight and unable to communicate with each other.

The cost of such a package would be several hundred thousand dollars, which is why the police and fire departments enlisted the aid of a grant-writer and Motorola. In a related matter, the Board of Trustees is considering hiring a third full-time police officer.

“Our community is growing” and attracts thousands of visitors, Craw- ford noted. On weekends, traffic is often bumper-to-bumper through the Medicine Creek area, he said. Visitation to the nearby Wildlife Refuge soared this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since the first of the year we’ve had an additional three to four hundred thousand” visitors to the refuge, WMWR Visitor Services Manager Lynn Cartmell told Texoma News Network in mid-June.

“I think the closest projection we have is about 387,000 additional people visit this year,” Cartmell said. During the first six months of last year her team estimated just over a million visitors.

“We got the overflow from that,” Crawford said. Medicine Park also could use a third full-time officer to fill in when another officer is on leave or vacation, and to lend a hand on weekends when visitors or citizens get too rowdy.

The town’s jurisdiction extends east almost to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike/Interstate 44. Crawford said that when on duty he typically patrols 100 to 150 miles a day, and sometimes puts as many as 200 miles on the odometer.

The trustees postponed discussion of a third full-time police officer until the Aug. 20 meeting so Police Chief Tom Adrahtas can participate in the discussion.

Previous Post

Fletcher Athletic Physicals

Next Post

Fletcher ushers in autumn with traditional Fall Festival, adds new Miss Fall Fest contest

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle News

Related Posts

Carolina chickadee | The Southwest Chronicle
Medicine Park

Carolina chickadee | The Southwest Chronicle

by The Chronicle News
January 20, 2023
Medicine Park unveils holiday celebration plans
Medicine Park

Medicine Park unveils holiday celebration plans

by The Chronicle News
December 2, 2022
Medicine Park

2022 Erath High Homecoming Court

by The Chronicle News
October 7, 2022
Construction continues on Diamondback Harley-Davison’s Medicine Park clothing outlet Wednesday afternoon. Inside a crew member makes some adjustments to the retail center’s patio doors overlooking Bath Lake. The shop is expected to open mid to late August. Pphoto by Curtis Awbrey
Medicine Park

Harley gear shop opening soon in Medicine Park

by The Chronicle News
July 29, 2022
Photo by Christian Hilliary
Medicine Park

Morning brings progress containing Thursday night wildfires

by The Chronicle News
July 29, 2022
Next Post
Mickey and Minnie Mouse took first place in the costume contest’s 0-3 age category

Fletcher ushers in autumn with traditional Fall Festival, adds new Miss Fall Fest contest

Recommended

Discovering Ourselves |

Being Authentic | The Southwest Chronicle

January 20, 2023
Corporal Stiven Jimenez, Lawton Fire Department, throws ball at the dunk tank where Dr. Krista Ratliff, president and CEO of Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, awaits the splash. Photos by Curtis Awbrey

Saving lives through Comanche County Boots and Badges

July 22, 2022

Categories

  • Business
  • Cement & Cyril
  • Elgin
  • Entertainment
  • Fletcher
  • Lawton & Ft.Sill
  • Lifestyle
  • Medicine Park
  • Opinions
  • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Sterling

Don't miss it

Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command
Lawton & Ft.Sill

UPDATED: Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

February 3, 2023
Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command
Lawton & Ft.Sill

Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

February 3, 2023
Sterling’s homecoming queen and king for 2022-2023 are Emma Nunley, left, and Hayden Taliaferro. The winners were announced at the Jan. 27 game against Rush Springs.  HUGH SCOTT JR. | SOUTHWEST CHRONICLE
Sports

Sterling homecoming 2023 | The Southwest Chronicle

February 3, 2023
Lady Owls sweep Altus to earn fourth win
Sports

No. 1 Elgin wrestlers seek title at dual state

February 3, 2023
Lady Owls sweep Altus to earn fourth win
Sports

Elgin swimmers aim to qualify for 5A state meet

February 3, 2023
Lady Tigers shut down Rush Springs, 46-29
Sterling

Lady Tigers shut down Rush Springs, 46-29

February 3, 2023

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle
Elgin, Okla. 73538
580-529-NEWS
Office Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F
Bringing you local news and community events every Thursday.

Categories

  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Sterling
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Medicine Park
    • Rush Springs
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinions
  • Sports

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

UPDATED: Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

February 3, 2023
Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

Kamper suspended from Fort Sill command

February 3, 2023

Copyright © 2022 The Chronicle News | All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 The Chronicle News | All Rights Reserved.

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?