July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Switch may be expensive
Jay County Commissioners
Looking ahead to a switch to narrowband radio in 2012, the county may have to figure out where it can find the money to fund the transition.
The switch to narrowband radio will happen in the future with the goal being "to get more radios on the system," said Ralph Frazee, Jay County Emergency Management Agency director. However, the switch in band will require a switch in equipment, and Frazee told commissionerMilo Miller Jr., Monday, that switch could cost up to $50,000 per department.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman and Faron Parr were not present during the conversation.
Similar to the switch that happened with TV signals earlier this year requiring converter boxes, without new equipment capable of picking up narrowband, some personnel may hear nothing but static or get choppy transmissions.
While some departments may be in good shape, one area Frazee highlighted that would be hardest hit by the switch are volunteer fire fighters and part time emergency responders who carry pagers. The current pagers, Frazee said, likely would only get spotty coverage, if any.
Frazee said he's been telling departments to get started, saying, "If you can buy five pagers, buy five pagers. Get us on the road."
Replacing those pagers, if purchased in bulk, could cost around $375 each for the more than 300 people who would need them could cost nearly $125,000.
"The reality says we don't have that kind of money," Miller said of total cost for the county, which could potentially top $500,000 for handheld radios, broadcasting stations and other equipment.
Frazee said at this point there's been no word from the Department of Homeland Security on whether funding will be available to help out local governments make the transition. That money may become available in the future as the deadline approaches.
"It's like a mandate without any funding," Miller said.
Frazee suggested speaking with the commissioners and county council together to get opinions on how to move forward with the potentially budget-busting move looming on the horizon. Miller agreed that was a good idea and suggested that the commissioners and council discuss the situation together at the council's December meeting.
In other business Monday, the commissioners:
•Opened bids for a new dump truck for the highway department from Palmer Trucks, Sterling Trucks, General Truck Sales and Selking International. The bids were tabled until they can be reviewed by highway superintendent Ken Wellman.[[In-content Ad]]
The switch to narrowband radio will happen in the future with the goal being "to get more radios on the system," said Ralph Frazee, Jay County Emergency Management Agency director. However, the switch in band will require a switch in equipment, and Frazee told commissionerMilo Miller Jr., Monday, that switch could cost up to $50,000 per department.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman and Faron Parr were not present during the conversation.
Similar to the switch that happened with TV signals earlier this year requiring converter boxes, without new equipment capable of picking up narrowband, some personnel may hear nothing but static or get choppy transmissions.
While some departments may be in good shape, one area Frazee highlighted that would be hardest hit by the switch are volunteer fire fighters and part time emergency responders who carry pagers. The current pagers, Frazee said, likely would only get spotty coverage, if any.
Frazee said he's been telling departments to get started, saying, "If you can buy five pagers, buy five pagers. Get us on the road."
Replacing those pagers, if purchased in bulk, could cost around $375 each for the more than 300 people who would need them could cost nearly $125,000.
"The reality says we don't have that kind of money," Miller said of total cost for the county, which could potentially top $500,000 for handheld radios, broadcasting stations and other equipment.
Frazee said at this point there's been no word from the Department of Homeland Security on whether funding will be available to help out local governments make the transition. That money may become available in the future as the deadline approaches.
"It's like a mandate without any funding," Miller said.
Frazee suggested speaking with the commissioners and county council together to get opinions on how to move forward with the potentially budget-busting move looming on the horizon. Miller agreed that was a good idea and suggested that the commissioners and council discuss the situation together at the council's December meeting.
In other business Monday, the commissioners:
•Opened bids for a new dump truck for the highway department from Palmer Trucks, Sterling Trucks, General Truck Sales and Selking International. The bids were tabled until they can be reviewed by highway superintendent Ken Wellman.[[In-content Ad]]
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