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County says radio upgrade on track for July 2025; EMS staffing and jail medical assisted-treatment program moving forward
Summary
Officials reported the county's radio replacement to meet the state's TDMA migration is on schedule for the July 1, 2025 cutoff; EMS staffing has improved and two EMS bases will be renovated. The county also described jail repairs and a new MAT program now operational as of Feb. 1.
County emergency-services staff briefed commissioners that a state-driven radio upgrade is nearly complete and the county expects to meet the July 1, 2025 transition date.
Communications staff explained the state's migration from FDMA to TDMA requires equipment upgrades to allow more users per tower; counties without upgradeable radios had to replace them. The county's radios were replaced and distributed, but base-station radios at the 9-1-1 center still need vendor programming and installation. Staff said the statewide "go-live" date is July 1, 2025 and that radios not TDMA-compliant will not function after that date.
EMS staffing and facilities: County staff said EMS recruitment has improved "nearly fully staffed" following the EMS Academy and the compensation pay plan. Two EMS base renovations (Eden and Reidsville bases) are scheduled to begin within weeks; contracts were signed and a preconstruction meeting has occurred.
Detention and jail improvements: Sheriff and detention staff reported completion of shower repairs to 33 stalls, scheduled work on 13 mezzanine doors (vendor quotes pending) and ongoing cell painting (about one-third complete). A county-supported medical-assisted-treatment (MAT) program at the jail is operational as of Feb. 1; staff said Daymark and public-health partners will provide follow-up wraparound services and Narcan is being provided for departing patients.
Why it matters: The radio migration is a public-safety interoperability requirement; missed compliance would leave first responders unable to communicate on the new statewide system. EMS staffing and upgraded bases affect emergency response coverage; jail repairs and the MAT program affect detainee care and service coordination with community providers.
Process notes: Staff said remaining radio base-station installs are on vendor schedules but delayed by personnel changes at the vendor. Commissioners asked about life expectancy and budget impact for new radios; staff said existing radios had been about 15 years old and that replacement life depends on vendor upgrade cycles. Jail painting and door work are phased to avoid moving inmates off-site where possible to reduce housing costs.
Ending: Staff said they will return with firm installation dates for base-station radios, vendor quotes for jail doors and follow-up reporting on EMS-base renovation timelines.
