Mutual Aid establishes local 'safety net'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman S.I. Fielder
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  After four years of coordination, a "safety net" for Moody and the local community will be completely established for use during major emergencies by the end of the month. 

Mutual Aid, an agreement between the first responders on base and the local community, establishes a communications network to ensure local area emergency assistance is available. 

"Mutual Aid helps to create a more integrated team response," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Whitlock, 347th Security Forces day's flight sergeant. 

Before the network was established, Moody had to find other means of communication when a major emergency happened. 

"(In the past,) in order to have communication with the first responders downtown, we had to pick up the telephone or use cell phones," said Tech. Sgt. Dawn White, NCO in charge of 347th Communications Squadron land mobile radio shop. "In the event of a major incident, we needed ways to communicate on scene. Now our first responders are able to communicate directly to the first responders off base via radio." 

The starting concept for Mutual Aid was neighbors helping neighbors. After the realization that communication broke down and security was breached during Sept. 11, 2001, Moody took a proactive approach to become part of the Mutual Aid network already established in the local area, said Sergeant White. 

"Staff Sgt. Rob Messercola began the process with meetings downtown at the Lowndes County 911 center, which is the center of operations," she said. "After (Air Combat Command) purchased the equipment, we then developed a memorandum of understanding between Moody and Lowndes County." 

Once Staff Sgt. Jarrett Blea and Master Sgt. Maurice Mondesir, 347th CS, established the required frequencies, Moody developed specific requirements when using the network. 

The network now allows Moody's first responders the ability to establish communication with the main controller used downtown during emergencies, said Sergeant White. 

"This system is for Mutual Aid only," she said. "If something big were to happen, such as an (aircraft) going down or a terrorist attack, that would be the only time we would use this network. We have a certain number of designated radios programmed for use by the on-scene agencies." 

Once Lowndes County finishes upgrading their current system from five to 10 channels, Moody will be fully connected into the community. 

"We wanted to become more involved with the local community in case of any disasters," said Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Harris, 347th CS mission systems flight superintendent. "This program helps get our victims to medical treatment as fast as possible. We have a good, solid solution that will serve both Valdosta and Moody for years to come." 

Though the network gives Moody a better way to communicate with the local area first responders, the teamwork has always been great, said Gerald Lunger, Lowndes County Fire Department fire chief. 

"We've always worked well with Moody," he said. "Now, they have the capability to talk directly with us, which makes everyone's response time a lot quicker."