Communication systems usually are the first thing to break down in an emergency situation, Portage Fire Inspector Craig Ratz said.
In a push to improve communication among local firefighters when responding to calls, Ratz said he ordered several new noise-reducing headsets that block out some noise of sirens and make it easier for teams to plan ahead and chat back and forth between engines.
Ratz programmed the new headsets Tuesday. “Instead of yelling, ‘Hey, what’d you say?’ while there’s sirens going, we have a plan. We hit the ground running; we’re better prepared when we arrive on scene,” Ratz said. “Time is of the essence.”
Portage Fire Chief Clayton Simonson said the department paid about $6,000 to acquire five new wireless headsets.