As wildfires continue to threaten Oregon and California, the City of Medford, OR is taking decisive action to strengthen public safety communications. In response to the growing need for reliable emergency response infrastructure, the city has launched the Public Safety Tower Relocation Project, an initiative designed to improve communication capabilities for first responders.
To bring this project to life, Medford officials have joined forces with Public Safety Tower Company, an infrastructure provider based in Carlsbad, CA. The company has been tasked by the city with developing a new “state-of-the-art” communications tower that will serve both public safety and commercial carriers in an effort to ensure seamless connectivity when it matters most.
“This groundbreaking public-private partnership has allowed us to replace an outdated tower with a fully modernized facility at zero cost to our taxpayers,” said Chief Eric Thompson, Fire Chief of Medford Fire & Rescue. “This new tower will enhance the reliability of emergency communications for fire, police, and medical services. I strongly encourage other public safety leaders to explore similar partnerships before investing limited tax dollars into new towers. It’s a true win-win.”
While this is the first tower of its kind in Public Safety Tower Company’s portfolio, it’s just the beginning. Doug Lodder, CEO of Public Safety Tower Company, confirmed that 20 additional towers are expected to go live by 2025, with more public service sites in the pipeline.
“One of the biggest drivers of this project is the increasing threat of wildfires,” Lodder noted. “In 2020, the devastating Almeda Fire tore through Medford and surrounding communities, pushing emergency responders to their limits. Reliable communication during these disasters is absolutely critical, and we’re committed to ensuring first responders have the infrastructure they need to save lives.”