LELAND — The Town of Leland announced it received a $50,000 grant from Duke Energy to purchase a mobile radio communication system.
The new technology will help serve as a reliable back-up communication system during disaster events when cellular networks are spotty or down.
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During Hurricane Florence, this issue was especially evident. Disaster management officials had difficulty coordinating, and in some areas, connecting to the 911 communications centers was not always reliable.
Duke Energy’s Strategic Impact grant was awarded to 65 organizations in the state that received over $1.1 million combined.
“The Town of Leland strives to provide proper safety measures and adequate equipment to allow all departments to effectively perform daily tasks and handle major events, such as hurricanes,” Dawn Friedman, deputy finance officer for the Town of Leland, said in the town’s press release. “A Town-operated radio communication system will allow communication across Town, to Leland’s fire stations and back to Town Hall, regardless of the weather conditions.”
Though the system could prove vital during storm events, Friedman said it will also be used during well-attended community events, including concerts and festivals.
