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Regional mutual-aid chiefs detail dispatch, radio upgrades and grant-funded equipment
Summary
The Capital Area Mutual Aid Fire Compact outlined its role in regional dispatch, training and specialized equipment; officials highlighted a $1.25 million radio improvement and more than $5.2 million in grants over two decades that support regional readiness.
Keith Gilbert, chief coordinator for the Capital Area Mutual Aid Fire Compact, told attendees the compact coordinates dispatch and mutual-aid resources across member towns and supports specialized teams and equipment, including a Central New Hampshire HAZMAT team.
"We were incorporated in 1976 as a district mutual aid system, and Henniker joined the compact in 1983," Gilbert said, describing the compact’s centralized dispatch in Concord, multi-frequency radio system and training programs.
Gilbert highlighted recent grant-funded investments that benefit member towns: "We're currently working on a $1,250,000 radio system upgrade, and that's part of a, dollars 8,000,000 overall need that we have," he said, and later noted the compact has received "over $5,200,000 in grants" in the past 20 years for communications, hazmat and emergency planning.
Why it matters: The compact’s centralized dispatch, simulcast radio network and shared equipment reduce duplication and let smaller towns access capabilities — such as hazmat response, bariatric patient-lifting gear and a Class B foam cache — they might not afford alone.
Operational notes: Gilbert said the compact manages a 12-site simulcast radio system with multiple ground frequencies and a primary dispatch channel; the compact also maintains a command vehicle, response trailers and training programs that rotate through member departments.
Next steps and budget context: The compact is pursuing communications and equipment upgrades and continues to apply for grants to amortize capital needs across member towns. Officials encouraged local leaders to engage with compact coordinators to understand cost-sharing and service details.
