Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grand County accepts $500,000 Connected Care grant for EMS, moves to buy message boards and host traffic-safety symposium
Summary
Grand County commissioners approved acceptance of a $500,000 Connected Care for Rural Colorado grant to support IT infrastructure at a new EMS station, directed staff to pursue two variable message sign boards (estimated ≤$50,000), and confirmed a Dec. 9 traffic-safety symposium with CDOT participation and an online option.
The Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to accept a $500,000 Connected Care for Rural Colorado grant that will help fund information-technology infrastructure at the county's new EMS Station 1 and offset software and technology operating costs.
Austin Wingate, Grand County EMS, told commissioners the award includes “somewhere north of $400,000” for station IT infrastructure and the remainder for software and other technology expenses, and asked the board to authorize him to sign the grant acceptance and related documents. The board approved the request and authorized Chief Wingate to sign the attestation and applicable paperwork.
Commissioners also directed staff to move forward with replacing two aging variable message sign boards used for highway safety. Wingate said the county is seeking boards “preferably with integrated radar, and potentially a camera integration as well,” estimating the purchase cost for two units would not exceed about $50,000. Commissioners discussed ownership and deployment — whether EMS, the sheriff’s office or emergency management should house the units — and staff said deployment locations are coordinated with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and that some locations are preapproved.
The board confirmed the county will hold a community traffic-safety symposium on Dec. 9 at Grand Fire in Granby at 7 p.m., with CDOT, local law enforcement, EMS, and invited state and federal legislators. The sheriff’s office said the meeting will include an online attendance option and staff plans to circulate a link in advance.
Why it matters: The grant accelerates technology investments for an upcoming public-safety facility while the sign-board procurement and the December symposium are concrete steps to address recurring traffic-safety concerns on state-managed roadways in the county.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with procurement planning for the sign boards, coordinate ownership/maintenance details and deployment with CDOT and the sheriff’s office, and publish the Dec. 9 meeting link when available.
