Emergency communications down for more than an hour - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Emergency communications down for more than an hour

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August 28, 2003

ALBANY - A lightning strike apparently knocked out emergency communications for more than an hour in the city of Albany Thursday night.

City leaders say the public was never at risk. Dispatchers immediately went into a contigency plan to use cell phones and older radios to dispatch fire, police, and EMS workers to emergencies.

"It wasn't all that bad," said Kevin Collier, Albany Communications Supervisor said.  "The guys worked really hard, worked well together: they faced it before. (It's) something we don't like to see."

"But, we were able to handle the calls and keep the citizens safe," he said.  "And, that was a positive thing."

If you have an emergency, you should still dial 9-1-1.

Technicians repaired one communications channel within an hour and hope to have the full system up and running Friday morning.

posted at 10:40 by mathew.palmer@walb.com