Everyone loves a good team-up, but this recent partnership could prove to be beneficial to emergency first responders across South and Central Texas.
The Coastal Bend Public Radio Coalition, which is an alliance of South Texas first responders, is teaming up with the Lower Colorado River Authority’s (LCRA) radio system to improve emergency communications. This will allow first responders to maintain continuous radio coverage during hurricane evacuations and other emergencies outside the Coastal Bend.
According to the LCRA press release , the coalition, which includes first responders from six counties, will be one of the largest public safety emergency communication networks in the state of Texas. When fully operational, the expanded radio system will enable emergency responders to use their radios in more than 57 counties, or about a fifth of Texas.
“Maintaining working communication channels is paramount for first responders, especially during evacuations that can put tens of thousands of people on the road at once,” San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera said. “This network also provides tremendous value to regional law enforcement collaboration efforts. Many criminal enterprises spread across multiple counties, and this enables us to share information quickly and efficiently with our fellow law enforcement officers.”