Coweta County commissioners agreed with Public Safety Director Dennis Hammond Feb. 2 and voted to make application to join the Western Area Regional Radio System (WARRS) group. If approved, the move will provide better public safety communications at a reduced cost.

“This group consisting of Carroll County, Heard County, Haralson County and the city of Douglasville have made great progress in developing an 800MHz radio system,” Hammond said in a Jan. 21 memo. “Most of the infrastructure is in place and testing should begin in late April or May.”

Hammond cited numerous advantages for becoming a part of the WARRS group. Not the least of those was financial.

“There is a tremendous cost saving. The infrastructure would be shared and our primary expense would be the towers and related equipment located in Coweta County. The maintenance costs would also be shared by the group, thus reducing our ongoing expense of operating the system,” Hammond said. “But the primary purpose of the system is to provide improved radio coverage and interoperable communications between users. This system would provide communications between agencies that work together on a regular basis. The end result is a better communication system that equates into a safer work environment for our public safety officers.”

Hammond said local public safety officials have discussed the benefits of an 800 MHz radio system and have agreed that joining the WARRS group would be beneficial. Those advocating for the agreement included Hammond, Sheriff Mike Yeager, EMS Director Melvin Hunter, Director of Public Works Bill Cawthorne, Fire Chief Johnny Teeters, Warden Bill McKenzie, E-911 Director Patricia Orr and Emergency Management Director Jay Jones.

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