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Greene County brings public-safety radio system online; officials report major coverage improvement
Summary
County staff told supervisors the new Motorola radio system went live Jan. 8, delivering near-countywide mobile coverage and greatly improved portable coverage; dispatchers and responders praised clarity and reliability.
Greene County officials reported on Jan. 14 that the county’s new public-safety radio system went live last week and has substantially improved radio coverage and reliability for deputies, firefighters and EMS personnel.
Presenter Melissa Meador (radio project lead) said the system was activated on Wednesday at 10 a.m.; she said the old system provided mobile coverage of roughly 65% of the county and portable radio coverage of about 35%. With the new system Meador reported mobile coverage running between 98%–99% and portable coverage at around 95%–96%.
The board heard thanks to Motorola Solutions, the county’s systems vendor Clear Communications, Mission Critical Partners (consultant) and many county staff, volunteer fire departments and the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Smith told the board the new system has already produced materially clearer radio traffic and said officers and volunteers can now reliably transmit from locations where they previously could not.
Meador and sheriff’s office representatives said dispatchers handled the initial cutover well and that technicians addressed minor implementation issues during the go-live. Meador said the upgrade was a major safety improvement for Greene County’s first responders and public-safety communications.
"This system is so dynamic...most importantly, the system is reliable," Meador said, describing the increase in coverage. Sheriff Smith said the system made communications "crystal clear" and that he was relieved knowing field personnel have dependable radio access.
The county thanked staff and many named vendors and partners, and asked that the board accept the update. No formal vote was required; the board expressed appreciation.
