Gov. Barbour Tests New Emergency Contact System

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour says the new $160 million system is "going to save lives and protect property" during emergencies.

By: Christian Stapleton | WKRG-TV
Published: August 30, 2009

» Comments | Post a Comment

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Haley Barbour says Mississippi's new
wireless communication system is "going to save lives and protect
property" during emergencies.
Barbour tested the $160 million system this weekend, speaking
with emergency contacts across south Mississippi in less than one
minute.
The new system comes four years after Hurricane Katrina
devastated the coast and cut communication between officials and
first responders.
The system is going up in phases. Phase one covers the lower
third of the state and includes 44 tower sites. The second phase
will place 52 towers in central Mississippi, and the third phase
will include 47 in the northern portions of the state.