Fiscal court ratifies P25 radio guidelines and hears Smart911 campaign results (8,742 sign-ups)

Madison County Fiscal Court ratified countywide P25 radio usage guidelines on Dec. 16 and received results from a multi-month Smart911/public-alert sign-up campaign that county staff said increased registrations by 58%.

Jill (county staff) told the court the Public Safety Advisory Board recommended uniform P25 radio usage guidelines so that participating agencies—first responders, partner colleges and other authorized users—maintain compatible equipment and follow federal grant and FCC requirements. The guidelines clarify that individual agencies are responsible for maintaining portable and mobile units, and that the county’s emergency communications center will continue to maintain infrastructure and an inventory tracking process.

On the alert-campaign results, Jill said the county’s outreach increased sign-ups from 5,538 to 8,742 residents. "As of yesterday, we have finished the campaign with 8,742 people that have signed up for alerts," Jill said, calling the 58% increase "unheard of" in typical marketing measures. Staff described an outreach sequence (statewide digital phase in August, localized mailers and a local presence at events) and said the Smart911 system is integrated with dispatch so first responders can access pre-authorized household details during calls.

Court members sought access to the P25 guidelines document and staff said it would be distributed; they also discussed disposition and property-book responsibilities when equipment was acquired via federal grants and when non-federal partners (for example EKU and Berea College) use county-provided radios under MOUs. The court approved the P25 guideline resolution by roll call; staff will circulate the guidelines and work on MOUs where needed.