Wake County orders new ARPA‑funded mobile command post with tethered drone and expanded comms

Wake County Emergency Management staff told the Public Safety Committee that a new 45‑foot mobile command post has been ordered to replace the county’s existing COMM1 unit.

Mister Patel said the new unit will be larger than the current COMM1 (about five feet longer), include dual slide‑outs for additional workspace, and incorporate modern communications and mapping systems to support unified command for law enforcement, fire, EMS and other partners. Patel said a tethered drone—powered via the unit so it can remain aloft for extended periods up to roughly 150 feet—will provide thermal and optical imagery back to commanders, and the vehicle will include drone‑detection capabilities and amateur‑radio support. “It does integrate a lot of modern communications and technology systems to be able to support our public safety partners that may use it in the field,” Patel said.

Patel said the new unit was funded primarily through ARPA dollars and is currently in construction; the county expects delivery in late August and estimates about 30 days to transfer equipment, with the unit available by early October—timed to support the NC State Fair if schedules hold. The current COMM1 has been in service since 2006 and is housed at Cary Fire Department; it has been used as a backup 911 center, for large public events and for multiagency incident coordination. Commissioners praised the upgrades and asked about walk‑throughs; Patel offered to arrange a tour once the unit and equipment are staged.