POWHATAN COUNTY—
A few weeks ago straight line winds destroyed a communications tower in Powhatan County. That's when leaders borrowed a temporary one from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Now county leaders have their eyes on Hurricane Earl and they're strategizing about what they'll do if VDEM does need the tower back, or if it takes a hit.Radio reception in Northern Powhatan on fire and police walkie talkies hasn't been the best since that tower on Judes Ferry Road came tumbling down. One firefighter, Bill Donati shows CBS 6 the difference between the reception on his handheld versus the mobile unit in a fire engine. The test in the mounted engine unit is crystal clear, the other hand held unit breaks up and crackles during transmission. That's what he and other firefighters and deputies are dealing with as the county tries to get through this situation.
Fire Chief Rick Bucher says the temporary tower has helped some, but their reception is still diminished. He says it's still better than deputies and firefighters having no reception. Bucher says now they are prepping for what Hurricane Earl may bring.
He says if the Virginia Department of Emergency Management needs the tower back, it's on to plan B. "If we have to move it then Goochland has a portable tower. They've been here to check out the site and they know what it takes to set up theirs. So, as soon as we get the word that VDEM needs it back, Goochland will bring their tower.
Now the Chief says they're working as quickly as they can to turn the temporary fix into a permanent one. They're exploring as many options as they can. He adds, "We're also working with Chesterfield to locate another antennae on the property there at Route 288 and Route 60 at the Westchester development, so we've expedited that process."
Bucher says the owner of the tower is working with the county to get all of the proper permits to rebuild at the Judes Ferry Road site. Once that paperwork is taken care of, it could take six weeks to rebuild the tower.
