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County proposes paging system backup, additional transmitters and replacing volunteer pagers
Summary
Staff proposed a multi‑part project: add a backup paging control point, evaluate additional transmitter sites tied to planned towers, and replace/outfit volunteer pagers (with county support and maintenance) to improve emergency notifications.
At the Nov. 10 work session, Bob Kelly and other staff proposed a multi‑component project to strengthen communications with volunteer fire and EMS personnel.
Kelly outlined three parts: 1) procure equipment to create a backup control point for the county—s pager system to eliminate a single point of failure; 2) evaluate and, if necessary, add 1–2 additional transmitter locations to improve pager coverage once planned tower sites are finalized; and 3) purchase new pagers for responders (which would typically cost roughly $400 per unit) with five years of maintenance covered.
Kelly told commissioners the county currently has limited visibility and control over pagers owned and maintained by individual departments and squads. He proposed the county assume responsibility for procuring and supporting pagers and establishing configuration and distribution rules tied to a department's active membership metrics (for example, LOSAP‑eligible active responders plus a buffer percentage). "The suggestion is that we could purchase new pages ... and that would also come with 5 years of maintenance," Kelly said.
Commissioners discussed procurement and ongoing operational responsibilities, including a possible MOU with local departments to handle loss/damage costs. Kelly said replacing pagers would relieve volunteer squads of replacement costs and would improve reliability, but added it would transfer operational maintenance obligations to county channels.
Ending: Commissioners signaled support for adding the paging project to the CIP to fund a backup control point and new pagers; staff will include the item in the FY17 project list for further budgeting and specification.
