LEBANON – Fire crews fighting a fire Saturday experienced radio interference for the first time since the department last month contacted the Federal Communications Commission for assistance finding the person who is jamming radio calls.
Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood said the jamming occurred as firefighters called for mutual aid from neighboring departments. A mobile home was destroyed and three others were damaged by the blaze.
“It confused the whole system. It did delay (the response) by at least five, 10 minutes,” Wood said.
Jason Cole, assistant chief of the rescue department, reported the jamming in April to FCC officials in Boston.
The last interruption occurred April 22 when Cole was on a medical call and tried to radio for an ambulance with advanced life-support equipment and more medical technicians.
As he started to speak, someone else on the frequency pressed a microphone button and blocked Cole’s attempt to contact his communications office.
Wood said the Saturday jamming incident remains under investigation.
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