Las Vegas NowLocal First Responders Test New Communications System

Local First Responders Test New Communications System

Just days after the September 11th anniversary, many in the Las Vegas Valley are taking a hard look at how prepared we are here for a possible emergency.

Local first responders tested a new communications system at the Thomas & Mack Wednesday morning.

With the help from federal officials, local agencies simulated a disaster during a high-profile event at the arena.

One of the biggest complaints on 9/11 was the lack of communication between, fire and police agencies. The same issue has also come up in the past during disaster drills in Southern Nevada.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI were in town helping out local agencies that are preparing for major events, including the NBA All-Star game in February.

Authorities have put together a communication system that allows all first responding agencies to talk to each other.

Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics from all over the valley used the system in a full-blown live drill.

The federal agents -- who were overseeing the drill -- will assess how the simulation went and local agencies will then help use the findings to determine what they will spend future grant money on.

The county has put millions of dollars over the past years developing the system. If Wednesday's run-through goes well, it could be up and running by New Years.

The Department of Homeland Security is giving 75 high-threat urban areas across the country the same test this year. They say 33 tests have been completed.

Clark County wants to finish the communications upgrades and have it working in time for the 2007 basketball All-Star game in February.

Las Vegas will be in the international spot light for the week of the game.

Send feedback to Reporter Tom Ellingson at tellingson@klastv.com