Lake County public‑safety support outlines radio, 9‑1‑1 and tower projects, cites grant leverage and cybersecurity work
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Summary
Greg Holcomb, director of Public Safety Support, described a consolidated approach to radio communications, next‑generation 9‑1‑1 boundary work, two new public‑safety towers in development, and a multi‑million‑dollar grants effort to fund equipment and sites.
Greg Holcomb, director of the Office of Public Safety Support, presented a countywide update on radio systems, 9‑1‑1 operations and communications infrastructure during the May 22 workshop.
Holcomb said the office supports radios, computer‑aided dispatch (CAD), mobile data terminals and 9‑1‑1 technology for municipal and county public‑safety agencies. He said staff deployed to statewide storm operations in support of other jurisdictions and that the office is replacing EOC audiovisual equipment and upgrading back‑room 9‑1‑1 infrastructure after a UPS/generator failure during a recent activation.
Key projects cited include construction of two new communications towers to improve coverage in South Lake and the Altoona/Umatilla area, a boundary assessment to support next‑generation 9‑1‑1 GIS accuracy, and ongoing CAD replacement for the sheriff’s office and fire rescue to provide a holistic dispatch solution. Holcomb said the office has leveraged nearly $5 million in grants (Emergency Communications Board 9‑1‑1 funds, ARPA, UASI and legislative allocations) to fund towers, security and EOC upgrades, and expects co‑location agreements with carriers to reduce the need for new towers by sharing County‑owned sites.
Holcomb also described a legislative funding‑formula change (Florida statute 365.172) that altered 9‑1‑1 board allocations; staff reallocated operating and personnel charges across EMS trust, county radio and 9‑1‑1 budgets as a result. He said cybersecurity is a high priority and that systems are configured to restrict non‑U.S. cloud servers where possible; Holcomb said the office maintains an elevated cyber‑watch over public‑safety systems in coordination with county IT.
Holcomb said countywide address‑point growth is about 1% year over year and that 9‑1‑1 call volumes per call‑taker position remain high; he provided position‑level call volumes for the county’s four answering centers. He said completion of the in‑flight tower projects will allow elimination of two current leased tower sites and produce annual savings.
