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County approves $287K‑plus purchase of 50 interoperable radios for EMS and emergency use
Summary
Haywood County approved buying 50 Viking Kenwood radios to replace aging equipment and meet P25 interoperability requirements; 28 radios will be allocated to EMS crews and the purchase was reported as budgeted by staff.
Emergency Management Coordinator Zach presented a resolution to purchase 50 Viking Kenwood VHF/UHF/DMR/800 P25‑compliant radios under a state contract exception to competitive bidding to replace the county's aging radios. He said 28 of the 50 radios will be provided to EMS crews, with remaining units supporting emergency caches and search and rescue teams to improve interoperability on the VIPER statewide system.
Zach explained the upgrade is necessary because the county's current radios are no longer P25‑compliant and will not work on the state system after July 1. "28 of the 50 will go to EMS," he said. Commissioners asked about resale of old radios, alternative technologies such as satellite (Starlink) and whether the Kenwood models were chosen for price and compatibility; Zach said Kenwood offered the best fit and that software updates may add additional features later.
The transcript lists the purchase amount in the item introduction as "in the amount of $287,000 $696,195 and 66¢"; Zach stated the purchase was budgeted. The board approved the purchase by unanimous voice vote.
