Jones County emergency responders receive upgraded radios

Jones County emergency responders will soon receive upgraded radios designed to improve communication, safety and coverage during emergency calls.

Jones County Emergency Services staff recently finished programming 150 new Motorola N70XE radios, which will be distributed to local emergency service agencies across the county.

The upgrade is intended to replace older radios that were nearing the end of their service life, including some that were becoming incompatible with current radio systems. County officials also pointed to radio coverage gaps in Jones County as a key reason for the investment.

The new radios are LTE capable, meaning they can switch to the Verizon cellular network if a responder loses traditional radio system coverage. While the technology does not eliminate the need for improved radio coverage throughout the county, it provides an additional layer of communication redundancy for first responders.

The radios also include improved personnel tracking capabilities. In an emergency activation, other responders will be able to see the location of the responder who needs assistance, allowing them to respond more quickly.

Jones County Emergency Services staff will conduct multiple in-service training sessions over the next few weeks to ensure responders understand how to use the radios and their new capabilities.

Jones County Emergency Services thanked the Jones County Board of Commissioners for supporting the project and for its commitment to first responder and community safety.

Agencies receiving the new radios include Jones County Emergency Services, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Maysville Police Department, Phillips Crossroads Fire Department, Phillips Crossroads EMS, Maysville Fire and EMS, Potter’s Hill Fire Department, Hargett’s Crossroads Fire Department, Trenton Fire Department, Comfort Fire Department, Comfort EMS, Trenton EMS, Rhems Fire Department, Cove City Fire Department, Pollocksville Fire Department, Pollocksville EMS, Wyse Fork Fire Department, Township 7 Fire Department, Western Carteret Fire Department, Jones County Health Department and Jones County Public Works.