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County tower and NOAA transmitter options discussed to improve emergency alerts
Summary
Urbana officials heard an update on a 400-foot county communications tower funded with ARPA and possible NOAA transmitter purchases to boost weather-radio coverage; staff said a grant opportunity of about $150,000–$200,000 was identified, and the city held EOC training recently.
Chief (public safety) briefed the Urbana City Council on May 6 about emergency communications work countywide and local emergency-preparedness training.
The chief said the county is in the final stages of a 400‑foot communications tower project intended to expand radio capacity countywide; the chief noted the project was supported by ARPA funds. He said a cost figure was mentioned during committee discussions but did not present a confirmed dollar amount to council at this meeting.
The chief also described efforts to expand weather‑radio reach for residents who lack external antennas. He said staff has identified a transmitter product and that the county emergency management director provided information on a possible grant in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 to improve weather‑radio capacity. "That should add to the capacity of us being able to use [weather radios] throughout the whole county," the chief said.
Council was also told about a recent functional emergency operations center (EOC) exercise conducted through the local emergency planning commission (LEPC) that included participation by the city police and fire departments. The chief said the exercise helped clarify roles for a coordinated county response and encouraged more applications for a posted position, noting applications were due Friday and the city had received six applicants so far.
No council action was required; the briefing was informational and staff said they will follow up on grant opportunities and implementation details.
