Wake County Commissioners have already given initial approval to thepurchase of a new radio system for all county emergency services, but,with county dollars stretched to the limit in other areas, some peopleare asking "Why now?"
Ben Silvers spent 32 years fighting fires in the Swift Creek firedistrict. The retired firefighter knows how important communications canbe in an emergency, but Silvers says Wake County doesn't need the newradio system.
County 911 Director Paul Brierly says, in a big disaster, emergencypersonnel can't communicate effectively with current equipment.
County Commissioner Yevonne Brannon has been fighting the purchase.
A competitive bidding process has already started, and a countyspokesman says it's not a matter of if the new radio system will bepurchased, but for how much.
Photographer:Ed Wilson
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