Central Taney County Fire District awarded grant to upgrade radios

Volunteer Fire Departments around the Ozarks are often forced to operate on tight budgets. That's why a federal grant awarded to Central Taney County Fire District is essential.

The money will help the district upgrade its radio system and serve its communities better.

Central Taney County Fire Protection District covers about 220 square miles in Taney County. When out on a call, Fire Chief Doug Bower says communication is key.

"That's our lifeline. It's just like the cops, you know, they depend on being able to talk to each other," Bower said. "We have to be able to talk to each other when we are out on a call. Not knowing what's going on on the other side might be somebody's life on the line."

The district runs a radio system that's about 15 years old. The chief says especially in terms of technology, it's certainly time for an upgrade.

"Currently we use an analog radio system," Chief Bower said.

Chief Doug Bower says, currently, they can't communicate with other departments. It creates a problem on major emergencies and on scenes with multiple agencies involved.

"Anything that would call in your PD, as well as your sheriff's office, your different fire departments, and then if we started involving your state police, your military," Chief Bower said.

However, Training Officer Jeff Romines says, upgrading the system costs thousands.

"We only operate off of a property tax and it is a limited amount that we get of course ever year," Romines said.

Romines says the $221,500 grant through the Assistance for Firefighters program will help the department get the needed equipment now, a purchase that without a grant would have taken years.

"It might take 8 to 10 years," Romines said.

They say it's all about serving the taxpayer better and protecting Taney County communities.

"They think that when they call 911, everybody is going to show up and all their needs are going to be taken care of, well it is but it takes a lot of money to operate that," Romines said.

The fire department will be responsible for paying for five percent of that federal grant, which comes out to about $11,000.

Romines say they're should have the system up and running in about six months.