County 911 System Rerouted To Backup

by Bea Peterson
“Residents of Rensselaer County can be 100 percent confident of our 911 system,” said County spokesperson Chuck Wojton Wednesday afternoon. “At 9:30 pm on Tuesday,” Wojton said, “the public safety building was struck by lightning, causing radio consoles to fail and 911 lines to be rerouted to TOPS [Verizon’s Telephone Operating Service.]” He added that cellular emergency calls were handled by the State Police or Albany County. “Backup procedures were immediately put in place and all 911 calls were answered.” One of those backup facilities was Hoosick Falls Dispatch.
“By 1:30 am Wednesday the land lines were back in working order,” Wojton said. About half of the cell phone responders were back on line and, Wojton reiterated, all calls are being answered. “Hand held radios and portable dispatch equipment were also damaged,” said Wojton. Replacement parts were installed on Wednesday and the rest of the parts will arrive and be installed on Thursday.
Hoosick Falls Always To Backup
Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan said the local Dispatch has always been part of the County backup system and it will continue to be part of the backup in the future. Should the local Dispatch service be dissolved, the equipment would remain in place and the County would supply a dispatcher to this site.
Mayor Monahan added that he is hopeful a vote regarding Dispatch will take place at the next Village Board meeting on August 17. “We are just waiting for EPA approval and reallocation of a $25,000 grant for improvements to the Fairbanks Road tower. The improvements would allow the County Mobile Command Unit to work from that tower.