The OSC referred the disclosures to the Agriculture Department, which confirmed “significant deficiencies” in the capabilities in the radios in the Chattahoochee‐Oconee National Forest in Georgia and the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina, an announcement said. Image: ehrlif/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Office of Special Counsel has credited disclosures by three Forest Service employees for spurring the agency to make “significant improvements” in emergency communications systems for law enforcement officers working in national forests in Georgia and South Carolina.
“Three LEO whistleblowers disclosed to OSC that radios provided by FS did not include the frequencies necessary to contact local Sheriff’s Departments while performing their duties. This left them unable to transmit critical information to local police departments or fellow FS employees during emergencies unless they traveled to a location with better service,” the OSC said.
The OSC referred the disclosures to the Agriculture Department, which confirmed “significant deficiencies” in the capabilities in the radios in the Chattahoochee‐Oconee National Forest in Georgia and the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina, an announcement said.
In response, the Forest Service “provided satellite telephones for emergency communications to LEOs in these national forests. And in the following months, FS installed radio equipment capable of using frequencies on state and local conventional radio systems in all law enforcement vehicles and obtained access to the relevant frequencies through agreements with local police departments. As of June 2024, USDA confirmed that LEOs in these two national forests have radio communication in all high-priority areas within their areas of responsibility,” it said.
Said the OSC, “As we have seen in the massive Park Fire in California and the numerous forest fires affecting National Forests throughout the Northwest, U.S. Forest Service employees manage hazardous situations in remote areas. It is critical that the Forest Service provide effective emergency communication to ensure the safety of their employees and visitors to our National Forests.”
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