In a press conference at the Clifton Park Firehouse on August 9th, representative of Saratoga County Fire and EMS organizations highlighted ongoing problems with the emergency radio communications in the County. Clifton Park Fire Chief Art Hunsinger, Saratoga County Fire Advisory Board Chair John Mazur, and EMS Council Secretary Henry Propst told reporters that the present radio system is unreliable. On August 10th, Fire Advisory Board Chair John Mazur and County EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy addressed the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors at their monthly agenda meeting, bringing concerns from Fire and EMS agencies about the radio system. Recognizing continued work by the Supervisors to build a new emergency radio system, Mazur and McEvoy recommended more immediate action be taken while development of a new system continues. Immediate needs are to implement redundant paging using a method such as text messaging through alphanumeric pagers or cellular devices so that more than just the present system is used to alert responders. Obtaining a radio engineering consultation on the current system to optimize performance and suggest components for upgrade or replacement to assure availability of parts or replacements when breakdowns occur was recommended. Also, increased involvement of Fire and EMS leaders in radio system planning and implementation was recommended. For a copy of the EMS talking points developed between the EMS Council and Fire Advisory Board, click here.