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Buffalo County approves 50% use of 911 funds for two staff to attend state radio programming training
Summary
The board agreed to use county 911 funds to cover half the cost for two local staff to attend a state-run P25/Motorola programming course to support a regional PSAP changeover and local radio programming capacity.
Buffalo County commissioners approved using 911-designated funds to pay 50% of training costs for two local staff to attend a state radio-programming class aimed at creating local capability to program P25/Motorola radios.
County emergency communications staff and commissioners said the training, a three-day state class focused on programming Motorola radios, costs $750 per student for tuition plus travel and lodging. State 911 staff indicated that 911 funds may pay for up to half of training-related costs (tuition, travel, lodging) for county personnel. Commissioners discussed splitting the remaining half of costs across neighboring jurisdictions where staffing overlaps; county staff proposed Buffalo County pay 50% for one attendee and Hand County or tribal funds cover the remainder for the other attendee when appropriate.
Staff and commissioners said the training is intended to reduce long-term programming costs (radio vendor programming fees reportedly as high as $150 per radio plus mileage) and to provide rapid local support when the county or nearby PSAPs change routing or talk-groups, including work related to a planned PSAP routing change to WINR.
The board moved to approve payment for two named county staff to attend the state radio training, including school tuition and related travel costs, to be paid 50% from Buffalo County 911 funds. The motion was seconded and commissioners voted in favor. No roll-call tally was read into the record.
Why it matters: Having certified local programmers reduces vendor costs, speeds deployment and supports interoperability when regional PSAP arrangements change.
