Polk County discusses advanced radio system and emergency communication strategies

The Polk County Board of Supervisors held a staff meeting on April 23, 2025, focusing on the county's critical communications infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. The meeting featured discussions on the performance and reliability of the county's radio system, which serves approximately 28 agencies, including backup support for neighboring counties.

Sheriff Schneider opened the meeting by highlighting the impressive volume of calls handled by the dispatch center, which receives around 142,000 calls annually, including over 61,000 911 calls. He emphasized the center's resilience, noting that it continued operations without interruption even after sustaining damage from a tornado in Marshalltown.

Mike, a representative from the county's radio system provider, provided a historical overview of the radio system's evolution over the past three decades. He explained that the current P25 digital-based system replaced earlier analog systems and has expanded from a single tower to 11 towers, ensuring comprehensive coverage across Polk County. This expansion has significantly improved communication capabilities for first responders.

The discussion also addressed the interoperability of the radio system with neighboring agencies, which allows seamless communication during operations such as prisoner transfers. Mike pointed out that while the state’s ISICS radio system is utilized for interoperability, it is not the preferred choice for daily operations due to its limitations.

A key point of discussion was the need for enhanced communication within large buildings, such as schools and hospitals, which often present challenges for radio signal penetration. Mike explained that bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) are being installed in critical locations, including the Amazon distribution facility and the Facebook data center, to ensure reliable communication during emergencies.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the importance of maintaining robust communication systems for public safety, with plans for continued improvements to address any existing coverage gaps. The Board of Supervisors expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with the radio system provider and the commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities in Polk County.