Press Release from Jasper Highlands Fire Department:
Marion County Fire Departments are preparing to transition to the statewide 800 MHz Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN), dramatically improving emergency communications for firefighters and first responders across the county. The current radio system used by Marion County fire departments has long suffered from limited coverage and frequent communication failures. In response, Marion County leadership, working closely with the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the 911 Board, secured approval for the county to fully integrate into TACN. The project included construction of two new radio towers and the procurement of mobile radios for county fire apparatus. To complete the transition for the county’s volunteer firefighters, portable radios were essential for reliable on-scene and day-to-day communications.
The Jasper Highlands Fire Department, working in partnership with other Marion County fire departments, successfully secured two critical grants to fund the portable radio fleet. A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) provided $973,636 — covering 90 percent of the total cost. The remaining 10 percent was funded by a $94,278 grant from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office. “The radios are currently being programmed, and we anticipate full implementation of the new system in the coming weeks,” said JHFD Fire Chief Lowell Hardin. “This upgrade will greatly enhance both daily communications and our ability to seamlessly coordinate with other fire departments and agencies during emergencies. We are extremely grateful for these grants and for the opportunity to provide better service to our communities and to Marion County as a whole.” The move to TACN will give Marion County firefighters access to a modern, statewide Project 25 (P25) digital trunked system, ensuring reliable coverage and true interoperability with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, EMA, other counties, and mutual-aid partners…