Centre County wins $1M federal allotment to start multi‑million-dollar emergency radio replacement

Centre County commissioners on Tuesday announced the county has secured $1 million in congressional-directed spending toward an estimated $4.5 million project to replace emergency service radios used by local fire, EMS and police agencies.

County staff and commissioners said the grant application was routed through federal offices and was approved in January. Norm, the county radio system lead, said the system had about 1,031 portable radios and 331 mobile units on file when the grant application was submitted. “These are the emergency service radios, the portables and mobiles that are provided critical communications,” Norm said, describing the devices’ role in field response and 911 coordination.

County officials said the $1 million is a starting point and will not cover the full replacement cost. Commissioners urged municipalities, state legislators and local partners to help make up the remaining roughly $3.5 million. One commissioner pointed out many responders are volunteers, noting the financial burden on smaller municipalities for radios that can cost several thousand dollars apiece.

Officials said the radio upgrade is paired with an infrastructure expansion: four additional towers planned for the year that should boost countywide radio coverage toward nearly 99% of land area. Norm said the system already includes 19 towers and described the planned tower work as adding redundancy and coverage in rural areas where cellphone service is unreliable.

A reporter asked whether the $4.5 million figure represented the full program cost and whether the $1 million was only an initial contribution; staff confirmed the $4.5 million estimate dated to the May application and that the $1 million is an initial allocation. Commissioners and staff said they will work with municipalities and the radio committee to determine how radios will be allocated among fire, ambulance and police units when equipment becomes available.

The announcement credited Senator Fetterman’s office, Senator McCormick’s office and Congressman Thompson's staff for their roles in routing and supporting the funding. County leaders called the award competitive and urged continued partnership to secure additional grant and local funds to complete the replacement program.

Next steps: county staff plan to continue grant-seeking and to work with municipal partners and the radio committee on allocation and implementation details.