East Longmeadow emergency radio system getting upgraded

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - The East Longmeadow fire department will soon be able to communicate better, thanks to a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

During a news conference Tuesday morning, Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) announced that the department would receive $320,000.

The money will go toward new, stronger antennas, new radios for firefighters and trucks, and upgraded equipment for the dispatch center.

Fire Chief Richard Brady says the new system will help them more readily communicate with not only each other, but also the police department and the Department of Public Works.

Firefighter Edward McCandlish says there have been times when the old radios have possibly put the safety of people at risk.

"We were on a response to a call about 4-5 months ago and we were canceled en-route by the fire Chief, yet we continued to go across town lights and sirens because our radio never picked up that he put us back in service," said McCandlish who has been with the department for 10 years.

The upgrades are expected to be in place by the end of this summer.