Adams County Supervisor David Carter seems to have a knack for spotting problems with our area’s emergency response efforts.

Many months ago, Carter wisely pointed out periodically slow response times from area ambulance companies.

This week, Carter pointed out another issue — Natchez Fire Department crews sometimes cannot communicate to their dispatchers in rural parts of the county.

Carter realized the radio problem when he was on scene of the fire at the former Kingston School building two weeks ago. One of the firefighters on the scene was burned while battling the fire and other firefighters couldn’t communicate on their radios. Eventually they sought medical help by asking an Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputy to call for help.

Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said the problem was caused by a faculty cable on an antenna used as part of the Natchez Fire Department’s radio system. The antenna is on a tower owned by a communications company, thus repairs must go on the company’s time frame.

That’s understandable, but in today’s world, we cannot afford to have such communication lapses for weeks or months at a time.

Bradford said by the end of next year the county would migrate its radio communications to a statewide network that should resolve the problems.

In the meantime, unfortunately, emergency responders have less than adequate tools to do their jobs.

Natchez and Adams County must do better. Again, we strongly urge city and county leaders to work together to improve our emergency services through consolidating ambulance providers, working together on a permanent basis on fire protection and consolidating law enforcement efforts.

Working together, we can improve services for the safety and well being of all in our community.