Prince Edward County seeks grant for emergency communication towers

By Crystal Vandegrift

FARMVILLE – The Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors announced last week that they are in support of the Commonwealth Regional Council’s 2016 State Homeland Security Program grant application for regional emergency communication tower improvements.

The proposed project involves installing eight new communication towers. Three of the towers will be purchased with grant funds; Mid-Atlantic Broadband, who is partnering with the CRC, will donate five towers.

Lunenburg and Prince Edward County each would receive one tower, Amelia County two and Charlotte County four.  According to County Administrator Wade Bartlett, the tower in Prince Edward County is proposed to be placed on land owned by the Darlington-Heights Volunteer Fire Department and would provide communication in dead zones in the western and southern portion of the County.

“Like most localities in Southside Virginia, Prince Edward County is a large, rural locality. Meeting the communication needs of our volunteer fire departments, EMS and sheriff’s office is an on-going challenge. While the county has invested in equipment to enhance emergency services communications, additional infrastructure is needed to provide adequate coverage throughout the county,” said Bartlett.

The grant request is for approximately $866,000 and if awarded, the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors noted that they are committed to providing the necessary radio equipment for Prince Edward County’s new emergency services towers so this new infrastructure can be put into operation.

“Lack of adequate communication infrastructure poses a risk to both our emergency services personnel and the citizens they serve,” added Bartlett. “By partnering with other localities in the region and taking advantage of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Corporation’s generous donation of five towers, we can eliminate this risk at a reduced cost. We are very excited about this opportunity and hope that Virginia Department of Emergency management will consider helping us address the region’s emergency communication infrastructure needs.”