By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

The towns of Collirene and Mosses are expected to have two radio towers installed to assist communications among first responders.

In a recent Mosses Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) meeting, it was announced that Lowndes County has received a communications grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) to allow the new equipment, said Mosses Fire Chief Eric Hall.

Hall said the towers are scheduled to be 100-percent operational within the next two weeks.

The installation is a preparation for an upcoming federal condition which will require all fire departments to make the transition to allow for narrow-band frequencies by Jan. 1, 2013.

Narrow-band frequencies fall between traditional radio frequencies and will allow for a larger range of channels.
The transition will allow emergency workers to communicate among each other without interference from other agencies.

Other agenda items discussed:
– Members of the Mosses VFD nominated and elected new board members. Jerome Hinson was re-elected as the board’s president, Ricky Woods was elected as the board’s vice president, Shanakaw Rudolph was nominated and chosen for the position of treasurer and Joe Bell retained his seat as a member of the Mosses VFD board.

– The Mosses VFD will be constructing its budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year by the department’s next scheduled meeting.

– A Christmas banquet will be held at the Mosses Municipal Complex Dec. 11. The event is hosted by the Mosses VFD and department members will be selling tickets for $7 apiece leading up to the banquet.

– An eight-hour Insurance Services Organization (ISO) training course will be held at 9 a.m., Nov. 20 in Hayneville for firefighters.