Perhaps it was a bit dramatic, but Bowling Green Mayor Eldon J. Renaud made his point concerning the need to continue upgrading Bowling Green-Warren Countys radio system. Before a vote approving the purchase of an upgrade to the radio system that allows emergency personnel better communication during emergencies, Renaud pointed to the deadly Howard Johnson Hotel fire that killed four people in 1996. It would have been so nice to have had that so firefighters could have communicated with other personnel and received critical, perhaps lifesaving, information sooner, Renaud said. Of course, hindsight is perfect. But citizens can be confident that the city has taken some giant leaps forward in upgrading and improving its radio system. Tuesdays purchase by City Commission was just another step forward to streamlining and maintaining efficient radio communication between city and county law enforcement, fire, medical and utilities personnel during emergency situations. At the time of that horrific fire, police used a limited, one-channel system. What we have now were going from radios that have one or two channels to radios that have the capability of probably 40 to 45 channels, Bowling Green Fire Department Deputy Chief Oscar Cherry said. There also has been an increase in power from 400 megahertz to 800 megahertz; and the Federal Communications Commission has opened a 900-megahertz frequency for data communications. The city now has 10 channels and has received FCC approval for an 11th frequency that will be based at Bowling Green Municipal Utilities water tower on Reservoir Hill. Its like having, pardon the pun, a rainy-day fund. By separating the 11th frequency from the others which are based at the closed city landfill on Glen Lily Road emergency personnel now have an alternative frequency to use in case lightning strikes and knocks out the other 10 frequencies. In other words, it allows radio communication to continue when its often needed most during dangerous weather conditions. The agreement between the radio committee comprised of representatives from the city, county and The Medical Center Emergency Medical Services and BGMU is an example of cooperation that could save lives or property. It also allows BGMU access to city-county radios in case something happens at their tower site, Cherry said. Both BGMU and city-county units end up with a backup plan. The decision is important, because it not only expands the systems ability but puts the technology to use the system most effectively during an emergency at dispatchers fingertips. The equipment will allow radios being used for less important matters to be disabled by remote and precious space freed up on crowded airwaves.