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Yadkin County approves $332,039 purchase of Motorola radios for EMS and Communications ahead of VIPER transition
Summary
The Board approved a $332,039 appropriation March 16 to buy 34 Motorola radios for EMS and Communications to ensure compatibility with the VIPER network after Jan. 1, 2027; staff said a vendor promotion reduces unit cost and delivery is expected in 4–6 weeks.
YADKINVILLE, N.C. — To maintain radio interoperability with North Carolina's VIPER system, the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners on March 16 approved a $332,039 budget appropriation to purchase 34 Motorola radios for Emergency Medical Services and Communications.
Communications Director Dylan Zachary explained that many of EMS's current radios will not be capable of operating on VIPER after Jan. 1, 2027. The county sought a mix of funding approaches in 2024 but was unable to secure the full amount from state sources; an AFG grant application by EMS was unsuccessful. Zachary said the vendor currently offered a promotion that yields a $1,300 discount per radio if the county trades in old radios (they may be broken or nonworking) and that taking advantage of the promotion would save roughly $65,000–$70,000.
The purchase would also largely eliminate the need for costly pagers, which Zachary said now run about $1,000 each. He told the Board radios ordered now could arrive in four to six weeks.
Commissioner Ricky Oliver emphasized the public‑safety importance of reliable communications, saying responders need dependable contact with Communications for operations and safety. The Board approved the appropriation 5‑0; funds were appropriated from the General Fund.
