Jul. 15--It's designed to provide communications for emergency responders whenever and wherever they need it in a seven-county area of northwestern Pennsylvania.

The first of its kind in Pennsylvania, a state-of-the-art mobile communications unit complete with 65-foot tower is now available for use in Crawford, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.

It may be used in the event of a disaster or power outage or set up to provide communications a major planned event.

The unit has a communications tower, control boxes, video cameras and computer software, all housed on a trailer so it may be moved and set up wherever needed. The unit's radio equipment is climate-controlled and has its own diesel-powered electrical generator that can run for up to 24 hours before refueling.

The controller boxes contain radio systems that enable communications between different radio systems used by police, fire and medical personnel. The communications equipment was acquired from Mobilcom of Meadville while the specialized trailer was constructed by Pepro Corp. of Oil City.

"This enhances our communication capability," said Allen Clark, director of Crawford County Emergency Management Agency. "With this unit, it brings all our (radio) frequencies together and we're able to talk to one another even though we may be on different frequencies."

Through state-of-the-art electronics, the radio system equipment contained in the MCU can be programmed, via a computer, to mirror specific county radio dispatching channels. It also can be programmed to communicate outside the established area.

The system can be set-up in about 30 to 45 minutes, according to officials.

Dispatchers from each of the counties are being trained to operate the unit, said Bill McClincy, executive director of EMMCO West, the non-profit regional emergency medical services council that oversees emergency medical activities for the seven counties.

The unit also has video cameras to allow for live video during any incidents in order to provide timely and accurate information.

"This was about four to five years in the planning," said Clark, who also currently chairs the Northwest Pennsylvania Emergency Response Group.

The trailer and equipment cost about $750,000 and was paid for through federal Homeland Security grants to the Northwest Pennsylvania Emergency Response Group and grants to EMMCO West.

It will be housed in Venango County as a central location for the seven counties and will be dispatched in the event of an emergency.

Clark said the tower also can be set up to provide enhanced communications for large events like the Crawford County Fair or Thurston Classic hot air balloon event.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.

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