Holy Name Upgrades Emergency Radio System

Police and emergency medical personnel will have better two-way radio reception at Holy Name Medical Center thanks to a contribution from the 200 Club of Bergen County and the township, hospital officials said.

The contribution funds a two-way radio signal booster and internal antenna system allowing emergency workers to use their radios anywhere on hospital grounds. With the current system, township police officers and Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps members, who use the same radio frequency, lose reception in some parts of the hospital, officials said.

The new system should be installed by the end of the month, said Chuck Gerity, Holy Name's assistant vice president for emergency operations.

"This is an improvement that not only makes life easier for our emergency responders, but ultimately pays dividends for the people in our community," Gerity said in a news release.

"It slices minutes off response time," said TVAC Capt. Michael Rothschild.

Working with the township, Holy Name submitted an application to the 200 Club for money to help pay for the upgrades.  The three groups divided the more than $22,000 bill for the work.

"We recognized there would be a great collaborative effort going into it," Gerity said.

200 Club President Jack Terhune said his organization agreed to fund one third of the project as part of a grant application submitted by the police. The organization was impressed with the plan because the system would benefit multiple departments. 

"We are particularly supportive of mutual aid and joint ventures," Terhune said.

The hospital's new equipment will also be compatible with fire department and county police radios, he said. 

Holy Name worked with the 200 Club, Police Chief Robert Wilson and Capt. Mark Distler on the project.