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Council workshop approves moving forward on fire radio purchase using ARPA cost-share grant
Summary
Staff presented a state-contract bid for portable and mobile radios and repeaters for the fire department; funding will include an ARPA cost-share (described in the record as a 50/50 cost-share) and the council voted to forward the purchase to full council.
Staff presented a state-contract bid from Radiocom for 13 portable radios, one mobile unit and four repeaters to expand radio coverage and provide additional radios for captain and riding positions on pumpers and engines.
The presentation said the city applied for and received an ARPA cost-share grant from the Department of Public Safety; staff described the grant as a 50/50 cost-share and said the city had not expected to receive the award but was awarded funding during the application process. The radios are the same model used in the current fleet and by EMA and police communications; the difference for fire is heavier-duty lapel microphones. Staff explained repeaters help address dead spots and cited recent incidents of radios losing connectivity on Beaker Road as justification for additional repeaters.
A motion to move the purchase to the full council was made and seconded and the motion passed on voice vote.
What happens next: the item will be placed on the council agenda for final approval; if approved, staff will proceed with the state-contract purchase and integrate radios into the fleet.
