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EPD chief proposes communications upgrade to E-Town council

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Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson made a proposal to improve communications abilities for city emergency responders during the Elizabethtown City Council’s work session Monday.

Thompson proposed rather than new construction the city partners with Motorola and the Kentucky State Police on their expansion project, which would allow the EPD and the Elizabethtown Fire Department to use the KSP’s upgraded system. Thompson said this would be a significant savings compared to the estimated $6 million for the city to install its own infrastructure.

“The $1.6 million that you see there is the estimate that we have, but the only cost associated with that is not towers, it’s not building new radio towers, microwaves, or any of those things,” Thompson said. “it’s for equipment. That number is for 100 handhelds and 100 mobile radios to go in the cars.”

Thompson said the KSPs project will be ready in the area by Quarter Four 2026, which means the city has more time to cover the costs. Thompson also said the new equipment helps alleviate stresses on the current system brought on by population increases and expansion the city knows is on the horizon.

“Prior to my arrival, we started talking about some of the strengths and weaknesses of our communications in the city, and the south end of the city has been historically poor for communications,” Thompson said.

Members of the council agreed to review the city’s upcoming budget to evaluate including the proposal.

Red Cross urges blood donations as Kentuckians continue to recover from recent weather events

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At a time where maintaining the national blood supply is already challenging, American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie says the weather has not done them any favors.

“The snow and the weather has played havoc on our blood supply just like it has in everyone’s lives, and we have had to cancel hundreds of units worth of blood drives, so we are doing everything we can to start out March on a high note,” Ritchie said. “Hopefully the weather helps us.”

The Red Cross has several upcoming opportunities for Kentuckians to donate blood and support those impacted by the recent flooding and winter weather. One such donation opportunity is the upcoming Quicksie Versus Wolf Blood Drive.

“The blood drive will be on Thursday, March 13 at the Pritchard Community Center,” Ritchie said. “To schedule an appointment, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org. Bring your family, bring your friends, because we need it. Our hospitals need it and our patients, most importantly.”

When you check in at the Quicksie Versus Wolf Blood Drive, let them know which station you are supporting in the friendly competition.

Ritchie says the Red Cross is adding new incentives for donors in March.

“Everybody who donates in March will receive a $10 gift card by email after their donation, and anyone who comes in is actually successful, which means for some reason you weren’t deferred, we will be doing free A1C testing on everybody,” Ritchie said.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information or to schedule a donation.