The Associated Press via The Bismarck Tribune
DICKINSON, N.D. — The Dickinson fire chief says static interference in the fire department’s radio communication has created a potentially life-threatening problem.
Bob Sivak says the static is so bad that communication is sometimes impossible. That, he says, could pose a major problem for firefighters inside a burning building.
The fire department — and rural fire departments also experiencing troubles — uses an ultra-high-frequency bandwidth. Sivak says the department needs to switch to another bandwidth.
The department has $45,000 for a new system, which Sivak estimates could cost $125,000.
The city commission will take the issue up at its meeting today.
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