Radio failures could be fatal
In Wisconsin, Blue Mounds Police Chief Andy Rose says Dane County first responders’ radios are failing at such a high rate, he is worried someone could eventually die. “It’s a matter of time, in my opinion, someone’s going to get hurt or killed,” Rose says.
The $18 million radio system is part of Dane Co.’s new emergency communications system called Danecom. Rose, who is a Dane County Chiefs of Police Association executive member, said since July he has heard from first responders having daily radio problems. However, on Aug. 8, Rose experienced his own radio failure when he arrived first at a Mounds View Road home. There, a juvenile who had allegedly been holding his family at knife-point ran from Rose. When the juvenile would not surrender, Rose drew his gun and attempted to call for help.