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Board recommends $68,000 in E911 funds to help West Wendover replace aging radios
Summary
The Elko County E911 advisory board voted to recommend up to $68,000 in E911 funds to replace West Wendover Fire Department radios that staff and firefighters said are more than 20 years old; installation and long‑term maintenance will be the town's responsibility.
The Elko County Enhanced 9‑1‑1 Advisory Board voted Feb. 5 to recommend the expenditure of E911 funds to help West Wendover replace its aging radio equipment.
Captain Gary Corona of the West Wendover Fire Department told the board the department’s Motorola handhelds and mobile units are obsolete. "We have some XTL 15 hundreds and 2,500 handhelds, then Apex 4 thousands, a couple of Astros, which are all well over 20 years old," he said, describing difficulties with programming and lack of software updates. West Wendover requested purchase of EF Johnson radios that would match county equipment and improve interoperability.
Heather, West Wendover’s lead dispatcher, described the operational risk: "From a dispatch standpoint, it's kind of stressful to have our units out in the county and not able to reach them," she said, noting that calling cell phones is unreliable during responses. Staff confirmed the county used existing purchasing agreements for the quoted price and that West Wendover would be responsible for installation and ongoing maintenance if the county approved purchase funding and the County Commission authorized the expenditure.
Chris McCann moved that the board recommend using E911 funds for Option 1 — up to $68,000 — to replace the radio assets; Kevin McKinney seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. The board’s recommendation will be presented to the Elko County Commission, which must approve any final expenditure.
Board members said the purchase fits the fund’s public‑safety goals and will improve interoperability between West Wendover and county dispatch. Gary Corona said he planned to attend the County Commission presentation.
