Pearl River Community College has received Mission Critical Digital Radios for all of its campuses through ComSouth in Hattiesburg.
Dale Purvis, ComSouth principal, presented three of the radios to PRCC officials at the Forrest County Center on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The donation follows an Oct. 21 planning meeting with PRCC officials and Forrest County Sheriff Billy McGee concerning handling emergency situations on or near campus. Adam Parker, assistant director of public safety for Forrest County Operations at PRCC, realized his department’s antiquated equipment limited PRCC’s ability to communicate with the sheriff’s office, said Dr. Jana Causey, PRCC vice president for Forrest County Operations.
As president of the PRCC Board of Trustees, Purvis was very familiar with the limitations of state funding and the cost of upgraded equipment.
“I understand the budget downfalls and did not want the college to be deficient in this important matter,” Purvis said.
The radios will allow PRCC police to communicate with local and state public safety agencies.
“We hope we never need to enact the discussions and training that have taken place, but we know what to do,” Parker said.
Purvis has provided an additional six radios for the Poplarville campus and Hancock Center to make coordinating emergency response easier.
“We owe it to our students to be the most prepared we can be for any situation that could disrupt their learning,” Causey said. “I am thankful to all involved who have made efforts to help us accomplish this important endeavor.”
Dale Purvis of ComSouth, right, presented digital radios to the Forrest County Center of Pearl River Community College to enhance communication with area law enforcement agencies. With him are, from left, Forrest County Sheriff Billy McGee, Adam Parker, PRCC assistant director of public safety for Forrest County; and Dr. Jana Causey, PRCC vice president for Forrest County Operations.
PRCC Public Relations photo
