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By JENNIFER LEARN jlearn@leader.net
Wednesday, February 02, 2000 Page: 8A
PITTSTON TWP. – Pittston Township’s Emergency Management Agency director
said he doesn’t want to be the scapegoat in a fighta about who may use the
township’s radio frequency.
Following up on a complaint, the Federal Communications Commission
recently ordered the township Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance
Association off the frequency, saying neither was licensed to use it.
Firefighters, who believe the complaint was politically motivated, are
trying to find out who turned them in.
Township Supervisor Tony Attardo on Monday denied any knowledge of the
complaint, saying Emergency Management Director Bill Alaimo was the only one
who knew anything about it.
But Alaimo said Tuesday he had nothing to do with the FCC’s investigation.
Alaimo said he informed the supervisors months ago, in writing, that the
ambulance company might be using the frequency without proper licensing.
Alaimo said the ambulance steered the FCC toward the Fire Department, after
a resident complained to the agency because ambulance radio chatter interfered
with his TV shows.
“The ambulance was the one that got caught and turned in the Fire
Department,” Alaimo said. “I was appointed by the people for the people, and
now the issue of public safety is being used basically as a pissing contest,
for a lack of better words.”
Fire Department representative Joe Pupa said he doesn’t blame the
ambulance. He said an FCC investigator told firefighters he got involved
because township officials “want the Fire Department off the frequency.”
Firefighters say they need the radio channel to relay crucial details about
accidents and fires to other township emergency personnel.
“The bottom line here is somebody from Pittston Township got involved in
this thing when they shouldn’t have and created a major life-threatening
situation that blew up in their face,” Pupa said. “We’ve been fortunate that
no major emergencies have happened.”
Pupa said the Fire Department has waited for almost a week to receive a
promised letter from township supervisors authorizing the department to use
the frequency until the matter is resolved.
But Alaimo said he doubts the township and emergency services can resolve
anything on their own. He plans to suggest that both sides form an independent
committee to research the matter and come up with a solution that must be
followed by both sides.
Until then, Alaimo said he believes fire and ambulance workers could use
Luzerne County’s local frequency. The county has made its position clear that
its frequency can only be used in the worst disasters.
Call Learn at 831-7333.