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Walker County to join regional firefighter radio grant with 10% county match
Summary
Commissioners approved Walker County OEM to partner on a regional Assistance to Firefighters grant to purchase P25‑compliant radios; the county's share was set at a 10% match and staff noted FEMA funds in the OEM line may cover part of the match.
Walker County Commissioners Court approved June 15 a request by the Office of Emergency Management to partner with local volunteer fire departments on a regional Assistance to Firefighters grant that would replace aging hand radios and improve interoperability.
Staff described a regional application that would include approximately 20 P25-compliant radios; the county’s contribution was defined at 10% of the county’s share for those radios. OEM staff said other county fire departments would be included in the regional application and that FEMA project line items held by OEM could serve as a funding source for match costs.
County staff described the radios as P25‑capable units intended to restore compliance and interoperability for apparatus and handheld units. One commissioner underscored the urgency, saying the county’s older ‘yellow’ radios are “about to be out of compliance.”
Commissioners moved and approved the partnership and the associated match commitment by voice vote.
What’s next: OEM and the fire chiefs will finalize the application and identify the exact radio quantities and funding sources; commissioners asked staff to return with agreement language and funding details if required by interlocal agreements.
