Watch Jefferson CountySSP Radio Equipment Needed for the West Virginia Interoperability Radio Project (WVIRP). Please Help if you can!
Within a few months, all Jefferson County Public Safety radio communications will be switched to new UHF trunked radio communication systems on frequencies adopted in the West Virginia Interoperability Radio Project (WVIRP).
This means that all Public Safety agencies (County Sheriff, local Police Departments, Fire Departments, Ambulances, etc.) will move to frequencies and types of radios totally different from those that have been used by the various agencies in the past. The purpose of this is to allow all Public Safety agencies FINALLY to be able to communicate with each other directly thus facilitating better coordination, faster response times, and improved communciations range/clarity. This plan demonstrates great progress and a great idea that is coming into reality for the benefit of each and every citizen of Jefferson County!
An unfortunate side effect of this communications migration lies in the fact that the radio equipment (scanners, mobile units, portable transceivers, base stations, antennas, etc.) currently owned and used by organizations such as the Shannondale Safety Patrol (SSP) will no longer be usable for working with Public Safety agencies! A little-known fact is that all radio equipment currently owned by SSP has been funded by individual SSP members and private monetary donations, and that the equipment is the primary source of communication for conducting SSP operations and joint SSP/Law Enforcement and Fire Department activities.
An analysis of the new equipment SSP will require in order to retain its current communications capabilities once the migration takes place has determined that funds on the order of $13,000 will be required. This estimate is based upon SSP members doing all the installation, programming and ongoing equipment testing and maintenance, as has been the practice in the past.
So....to the bottom line: SSP is appealing to the community we serve for contributions (large, medium, or small) to raise the money needed to continue to serve you as we have for almost 50 years. PLEASE open your hearts and checkbooks/wallets and help us reach this goal! Our small and busy membership effectively precludes any type of ongoing fund raising activities such as bingo or raffles. Most of us work at full-time jobs in addition to our volunteer service.
We cherish the honor of serving the community, and thank you each and every one in advance for helping us continue our service! Despite our Community size (1400 families?) and 70 miles of roads, we have the lowest crime rate of any of the larger communities in the state. Let's continue to work together to maintain this remarkable distinction!
If you are able to help us, please make your check out to: Shannondale Safety Patrol, Radio Fund,
and send your contribution to:
Shannondale Safety Patrol
Diana Hughes, Treasurer
836 Eagle's Nest Lane
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Questions? Please call Dave Withers (304-261-4858) or Ron Sikerica by e-mail at SSP@frontiernet.net
Thanks to all, very much!
Dave_SSP15
Comments
SSP Radio Project
Our SSP Treasurer reports that $2500 has been received in donations toward the equipment replacement project, primarily from Eagles Nest residents and SSP members. This places us at the 20% mark in reaching our goal.
This is probably the worst possible time to appeal for donations with the current state of the economy, the outrageous cost of gasoline and the rising prices on other goods and services. But, this change in radio systems was thrust upon us by Federal requirements for changes in emergency services operation to ensure that all agencies will be able to communicate in the event of a local, regional or national emergency. There are NO grant money programs available.
SSP must adapt or lose the ability to communicate and coordinate with emergency services.
We have approximately 1500 families in Shannondale. If each family would contribute only $10, we could easily reach our project goal AND have enough left over to purchase new UHF trunking scanners for home use by SSP members unable to afford the $500 cost per unit. SSP members continue to pay for all other equipment and supplies out of personal funds.
THANKS for considering our request for assistance. Ron, AsstChief, SSP
SSP@frontiernet.net
"All that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing." E. Burke (1729-1797)