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Old tower to get new life, help area rescue groups
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
A communications tower formerly owned by the federal government will solve radio transmission gaps that have hampered Lee County rescue services and law enforcement for years.
The 320-foot radio repeater tower on Hilton Road, Keokuk, near U.S. Highway 61 had been unused for years and was destined for demolition, said Neil Johnson, a trustee for the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association.
Instead, the circa 1960 tower will be re-purposed to allow direct radio communication among all of emergency services in Lee County, no matter where in the area they are located.
“This is a great example of what we can do on local, state and federal levels,” said U.S. Rep. David Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon. “The first time I heard about this was at a listening post about a year ago.”
A listening post consists of Loebsack or one of his staff holding open office hours somewhere in the county. Local residents, businesses and agencies can share their concerns with the congressman or staff, face-to-face.
Loebsack said the tower was deeded to the U.S. government, but one of his most persistent staff members became involved in the project and cut through red tape so the tower could be turned over to the Lee County Board of Supervisors.
“This turned out to be a cooperative effort between my office, which is really your office, and Neil and (Lee County) Sheriff Buck Jones,” Loebsack said. “The best way to get things done is for people to keep at it.”
The project was initiated about five years ago by Jackson Township Fire Chief Paul Henson, who later turned it over to Johnson. Johnson met with Loebsack and a year later had the tower.
The danger of communication gaps is illustrated by an incident that occurred in Lee County in the last five years in which two men were trapped in an icy pond off Johnson Street Road near the Red Wing Access.
“We knew we had a problem,” Johnson said. “The only way we could communicate was to have a truck on the scene, a truck up the hill and a radio at the Jackson Township Firehouse.”
A member of the fire department relayed rescue workers' messages to the dispatcher at the Lee County Sheriff's Office, who kept everyone else informed. No one could talk directly to the people at the scene.
The men were rescued and taken to the hospital with hypothermia, along with three firefighters who also had to be treated.
Johnson said that Keokuk is another “dead spot” for his pager, but he picks up calls fine at the doctor's office in Mount Pleasant.
The county has pockets of zero radio reception, which has affected sheriff's deputies the most, James said.
“If one of his deputies has a hard time, he has to use his cell phone - if it works,” he said. “I'm sure Sheriff Jones can tell you some hair-raising stories.”
When the new tower goes on line, a 99 percent reception rate is anticipated.
Lee County Supervisor Chair George Morgan said the Lee County 911 Commission will likely be in charge of maintenance and obtaining the equipment necessary to run the tower.
Morgan said there was little opposition from supervisors during the decision making process.
The Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Carthage, Ill., and possibly Clark County Sheriff's Office in Kahoka, Mo., may want to put antennas on the tower to help with their communications problems.
“This will help all area agencies,” Morgan added.
Johnson said there are grants available for the tower equipment, but cost must be figured first.
“I hope it's up and functional before summer,” Johnson said.
Assistant Fire Chief Russ James presented two proclamations to Loebsack, one for the tower project and the other making him an honorary member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association.
“This means a lot to me,” Loebsack said. “Being an honorary member doesn't mean I have to be in good shape does it?”
Don Hardin, who has been a member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association since its inception in 1972, offered his pager to Loebsack.
Loebsack politely declined.
The 320-foot radio repeater tower on Hilton Road, Keokuk, near U.S. Highway 61 had been unused for years and was destined for demolition, said Neil Johnson, a trustee for the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association.
Instead, the circa 1960 tower will be re-purposed to allow direct radio communication among all of emergency services in Lee County, no matter where in the area they are located.
“This is a great example of what we can do on local, state and federal levels,” said U.S. Rep. David Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon. “The first time I heard about this was at a listening post about a year ago.”
A listening post consists of Loebsack or one of his staff holding open office hours somewhere in the county. Local residents, businesses and agencies can share their concerns with the congressman or staff, face-to-face.
Loebsack said the tower was deeded to the U.S. government, but one of his most persistent staff members became involved in the project and cut through red tape so the tower could be turned over to the Lee County Board of Supervisors.
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The project was initiated about five years ago by Jackson Township Fire Chief Paul Henson, who later turned it over to Johnson. Johnson met with Loebsack and a year later had the tower.
The danger of communication gaps is illustrated by an incident that occurred in Lee County in the last five years in which two men were trapped in an icy pond off Johnson Street Road near the Red Wing Access.
“We knew we had a problem,” Johnson said. “The only way we could communicate was to have a truck on the scene, a truck up the hill and a radio at the Jackson Township Firehouse.”
A member of the fire department relayed rescue workers' messages to the dispatcher at the Lee County Sheriff's Office, who kept everyone else informed. No one could talk directly to the people at the scene.
The men were rescued and taken to the hospital with hypothermia, along with three firefighters who also had to be treated.
Johnson said that Keokuk is another “dead spot” for his pager, but he picks up calls fine at the doctor's office in Mount Pleasant.
The county has pockets of zero radio reception, which has affected sheriff's deputies the most, James said.
“If one of his deputies has a hard time, he has to use his cell phone - if it works,” he said. “I'm sure Sheriff Jones can tell you some hair-raising stories.”
When the new tower goes on line, a 99 percent reception rate is anticipated.
Lee County Supervisor Chair George Morgan said the Lee County 911 Commission will likely be in charge of maintenance and obtaining the equipment necessary to run the tower.
Morgan said there was little opposition from supervisors during the decision making process.
The Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Carthage, Ill., and possibly Clark County Sheriff's Office in Kahoka, Mo., may want to put antennas on the tower to help with their communications problems.
“This will help all area agencies,” Morgan added.
Johnson said there are grants available for the tower equipment, but cost must be figured first.
“I hope it's up and functional before summer,” Johnson said.
Assistant Fire Chief Russ James presented two proclamations to Loebsack, one for the tower project and the other making him an honorary member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association.
“This means a lot to me,” Loebsack said. “Being an honorary member doesn't mean I have to be in good shape does it?”
Don Hardin, who has been a member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Association since its inception in 1972, offered his pager to Loebsack.
Loebsack politely declined.
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