DeKalb County has officially joined the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN), enhancing its emergency services through improved communication systems. In a recent ribbon-cutting event held at the DeKalb Community Complex, representatives from the county's first responders celebrated their integration into the state's advanced communications infrastructure.
During the ceremony attended by emergency personnel from DeKalb County's Sheriff’s Department, Fire, 911, Rescue, EMS, and local police departments, Les Dolente, Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, heralded the event stating, "Communication and interoperability will drastically improve for DeKalb County first responders, and as a result, lives will be saved." His remarks emphasized the county's dedication to bolstering public safety, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
The move follows DeKalb County's decision to upgrade from an obsolete analog system, garnering support from the County Commission, which approved necessary funding in early 2024. The procurement of new equipment and the construction of additional towers, as per TACN and grant funding, look to drastically enhance communications for emergency services in the area.
As many who were in attendance know, Brad Mullinax, DeKalb County 911 Director, detailed the challenges faced by the county in the field of emergency communications. "Since 1975, DeKalb County has relied on an antiquated conventional analog radio system for responder communications," he shared, highlighting a journey toward greater reliability and coverage initiated two years prior. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, a significant stride in this journey is the acquisition of property in the community of Liberty, where a new tower dedicated to public safety will be erected by TACN.
