Board hears of DHS and SHSP grant applications to replace radios and update command‑bus IT
Summary
Staff said they are applying for Department of Homeland Security and State Homeland Security Program grants to replace handheld radios that are not P25 Phase 2 compliant and to upgrade the command bus’s internal IT systems; the board discussed grant limits and adapting planned work to fit grant constraints.
Staff told the board they will apply for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to replace handheld radios that are not P25 Phase 2 compliant and that EMA is preparing a separate State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) application with a funding limit of up to $150,000.
Because a full replacement of the center’s aging command bus would exceed factory constraints, staff said they plan to use grant funds to upgrade the bus’s internal IT “guts” — communications and IT equipment that could later be transferred to a replacement vehicle or trailer. An IT staff member told the board that equipment installed for electronics and IT would remain useful if the agency later procures a different vehicle form factor.
Why it matters: Staff said the proposed equipment upgrades would address aging radios and command‑post systems and improve interoperability and longevity of deployed systems; grant limits and vendor constraints will shape the scope of work.
Follow‑up: Staff will finalize grant applications with EMA and other partners and report back on award status and procurement plans if grants are approved.
