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APR 91980 - Y _ -BOOK 43 PAGE 171 March 13, 1980` The Honorable W.W. Siebert Chairman B° .�ivCD Board of County Commissioners ca°°j!'titr Indian River County Court House FP `;. Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Pear Bunny: Usually when you receive a letter from a member of oux, county department, it is a request for something. This letter is no exception to the rule. It is an accepted fact that Indian River County fared pretty well during the episode of Hurricane David. In spite of the fact that there teras much property damage, there were no deaths or significant injuries. One explanation that I might tender is that our communications system stood us in good stead. However, we should be better prepared for a storm in high categories than Hurricane David which was considered a Category 1 Storm. Our rapidly increasing population (at present 58,000 plus) dictates preparations along this vein. I'm referring to improvements in our communication systems and weather indication devices. For the past few years, the Indian River County Civil Defense Department has budgeted $750.00 towards a radio alert system. This would. include an encoder with receivers for all the emergency response. -activities. This system is needed. It would fac.il'icate an efficient and time saving response to emergencies. _However, I'have not really initiated any definite moves in this -dive ction as yet, since matching funds are not available. I am optimistic that the situation will reverse itself aftt.-P this fiscal year and will then pursue this issue. But, I have been -testing a new type of pager. This device permits anyone to contact me at anytime (24 hours a cavi merely by lifting up a telephone and dialing a certain number. The beeper is then activated and will communicate a 20 second massage to the carrier. The heads of the emergency response e groups have indicated that this would be an effective method of staying in contact with the local Civil Defense Director. In other words, anyone with telephone service could immediately be in contact with the carrier of the beeper. The beeper / beeps and the voice message follows.