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County considers funding for radio system upgrade: Grant may pay for 188 new mobile devices for fire and EMA [Kokomo Tribune, Ind.](Kokomo Tribune (IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 19--KOKOMO -- The Howard County Commissioners are being asked to provide funding for the purchase of new radios for local volunteer fire departments. Commissioner Dave Trine said Monday the city of Kokomo requested the help to purchase 188 mobile Enhanced Digital Access Communication System radios for all fire departments operating in Howard County and the Emergency Management Agency. The new radios will provide better communication between individual firefighters and eliminate the need to carry multiple radios to communicate with different departments. Randy Morris, director of operations for Kokomo, said the city has applied for a federal grant to make the purchase, which requires a local match of 20 percent. County officials weren't sure county government could provide the funding, noting each township has a budget line item for the purchase of equipment. Larry Murrell, Howard County attorney, said the commissioners would have to look at what is expected of the county. He wasn't sure the county could provide the funding. Morris said the radios would have to be replaced in a few years and the new radios are waterproof. Murrell said the county would represent all other government entities and have to disburse and receive funding to make the purchase. "We have volunteer fire department radios from when the county went through the rebanding process," Murrell said of an agreement with Sprint/Nextel to make an additional radio frequency available. "There was no old equipment provided." A portion of the funds would go to purchase a new console for the dispatch center. The total amount of the project is $1,023,000, with $819,000 from the federal grant. Kokomo will provide $55,000 of the local matching funds to purchase radios for the Kokomo Fire Department and the county's share is $149,000. The new radios will allow communication with existing radios used by the Kokomo Fire and Police departments. To see more of the Kokomo Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kokomotribune.com/. Copyright (c) 2010, Kokomo Tribune, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |