Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Sherwood Firefighters Foundation, emergency fire radio communications in the region have been significantly enhanced. Recognizing a deficiency in emergency radio communications, Sherwood Forest Fire District, High Country Fire Rescue, and Ponderosa Fire Departments collaborated with the Foundation to upgrade the local radio system. The project involved acquiring a dedicated radio frequency from the FCC and installing a new dedicated radio repeater on Bill Williams Mountain. The system will have a huge positive impact on inter-agency emergency communications which will enhance effectiveness on fire and EMS scenes, and increase safety for fire personnel. Assisting one another through “Mutual Aid” is common-place and necessary for rural fire departments. This project will provide more cohesive coordination for that mutual aid. The total cost of the project was $26,000.
Chief Moede received the full approval of the SFEFD Board of Directors to lead the effort and acquire funding. Each of the three agencies contributed $2000 from their own budgets, and the Foundation provided a $20,000 grant. The Sherwood Firefighters Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to fire agencies in Northern Arizona whose limited budgets often need help for tools, equipment, and resources. Donations to the Sherwood Firefighters Foundation are tax deductible and can be sent to PO Box 911, Williams, AZ 86046.
The previous radio communications inadequacies became glaringly apparent when inter-agency communications were severely compromised during the 2021 San Rafael fire. That fire burned during June and July of 2021 and consumed nearly 80,000 acres. The lightning-caused, wind-driven fire threatened residents and homes in Williams, Garland Prairie, Sherwood Forest, Parks, and other areas. Fire radio communications and operational effectiveness are now significantly improved through this project.