New device will improve communications among fire and police departments

CANFIELD — As Cardinal Joint Fire District firefighter Matt Rarick demonstrated a new piece of communications equipment to Chuck Colucci, Canfield’s assistant police chief, it became apparent the police officer saw some exciting possibilities.

“That’s really cool, and it sets up quick,” he said.

With that, the educational process had begun for the Incident Commanders Radio Interface — a suitcase-sized device that the fire department that serves Canfield and Canfield Township has acquired though a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The equipment is designed to help police, fire and other emergency personnel — who often times have portable radios operating on different radio frequencies — communicate with each other during natural or man-made disasters or incidents.

For more on this story, please see Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com