MONROE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Monroe County Commission has announced a major step forward in public safety and emergency response by donating Mini-Starlink terminals to the county’s six volunteer fire departments: Peterstown, Ballard, Lindside, Union, Gap Mills, and Alderson. The cutting-edge satellite internet systems, developed by SpaceX, will provide first responders with reliable, high-speed connectivity—even in the most remote corners of the county.
The initiative, led by County Clerk Jeremy Meadows, mirrors a similar deployment made last year by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and aims to eliminate communication gaps in areas where traditional radio and cell service often fail.
“Monroe County may be small, but our commitment to leveraging the newest technology to protect our residents is unwavering,” said Meadows. “These Mini-Starlink terminals empower our volunteer firefighters with life-saving communication tools, ensuring they can connect with the 911 Center and each other, no matter where an emergency occurs.”
Modernizing Rural Emergency Response
The Mini-Starlink terminals feature built-in batteries with up to 8 hours of operation and come paired with portable routers that can connect multiple devices on the same secure network. Their portability and reliability are game-changers for emergency responders operating in the county’s rugged terrain and frequent “dead zones.”
Some key benefits of the new terminals include:
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Seamless Communication in Remote Areas: In locations like Waiteville or Gap Mills, responders can now maintain direct contact with dispatch, EMS, and other agencies—even during structure fires or medical emergencies far from cell towers.
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Real-Time Situational Awareness: Teams can stream live drone footage or send updates to command centers, helping coordinate efforts during wildfires, search-and-rescue operations, or multi-agency incidents.
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Mobile Command Posts: Terminals can be set up roadside at accident scenes or natural disasters, like along Route 219, to coordinate response when seconds matter.
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Wireless Connectivity for Multiple Units: Firefighters, EMS, and sheriff’s deputies can now share one network for better coordination during incidents such as hazmat spills or large-scale rescues.
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Resilience During Outages: With power and cell service often disrupted by severe weather in Monroe County, these battery-powered systems ensure first responders can continue to operate during storms, wildfires, and winter emergencies.
A County-Wide Commitment to Innovation
This donation builds upon the Commission’s successful 2024 rollout of Starlink units for sheriff’s deputies, which earned praise from SpaceX as a model for rural public safety. By extending that success to volunteer fire departments, the Commission is creating a unified, technologically advanced response network across Monroe County.
“Our volunteer fire departments are the backbone of Monroe County’s public safety,” said Meadows. “By equipping them with Mini-Starlink terminals, we’re not just enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies—we’re strengthening the resilience of our entire county.”
Supporting Local Heroes
With volunteer departments responding to over 2,500 emergency calls annually, many of them in hard-to-reach areas, the addition of Mini-Starlink terminals ensures that these everyday heroes are not held back by outdated communications systems.
Funded through strategic budget allocations—including portions of the county’s $49,298 fire levy—this project highlights Monroe County’s dedication to innovation, efficiency, and community safety.
Learn More & Get Involved
Residents interested in learning more about the initiative or how they can support their local fire departments are encouraged to contact the Monroe County Clerk’s Office at jmeadows@monroecountywv.gov.
This investment in technology is another example of Monroe County’s ongoing mission to ensure that no emergency call goes unanswered—no matter how remote the location.
