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Fayette County emergency management authorized to seek grants for radios, drones and dispatch upgrades
Summary
Emergency management director Wade won commissioner approval to apply for a $2,880 community micro grant and a larger public‑safety fund to buy Motorola Wave push‑to‑talk licenses, drone equipment, a rapid‑notification dispatch module and volunteer safety gear.
Fayette County emergency management director Wade told county commissioners he is seeking permission to apply for two grants to update communications and equipment for volunteer responders and dispatch.
"I'm asking for $2,800 and roughly $2,900," Wade said of a Community Foundation micro grant request during the meeting. Commissioners approved pursuing that micro grant and authorized Wade to apply for a larger public‑safety grant intended to fund drone packages, a Motorola Flex CAD rapid notifications/delivery module and personal protective gear for volunteers.
The micro grant Wade described is $2,880 and would fund an initial Motorola Wave push‑to‑talk setup that would convert cell phones into 800‑megahertz radios and provide roughly 180 licenses. Wade said the push‑to‑talk subscription would run about $13 per user annually; his plan is to reappropriate ongoing subscription costs into department communications budgets after the initial setup.
On the public‑safety grant, commissioners discussed three line items Wade identified for purchase: a drone package, a Motorola Flex CAD/rapid‑notification module for dispatch, and protective gear for volunteers. Wade provided fragmented estimates in discussion and an overall ballpark total the group referenced at roughly $105,558 to pursue the combo of items; he cautioned the grant is not guaranteed and that competition for the fund will be strong.
Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to allow emergency management to pursue both grants; the motion passed by voice vote.
What happens next: Wade and EMA staff will prepare formal grant applications with the Community Foundation and the public‑safety fund; any award, scope or purchase is contingent on receiving the grants and subsequent budget approvals.
