Startup for the new 800 MHz emergency radio system delayed further

Final tweaks to the new 800 MHz county emergency radio system are underway.

"We thought the to go-live date would be at the end of February. But it's going to be a little bit later," Branch County Administrator bud Norman told the 911 board this week.

Contractor J&K Communication has started programming the digital equipment.

"We see the light at the tunnel," said technical committee chair Coldwater Fire Chief Dave Schmaltz. "All the towers are up. We've done the coverage testing. All passed. All the radios, mobiles portables are here."

One delay occurred because portables did not work well in basements. The technical committee said it would be safer if repeaters were added to fire trucks to communicate with fire portables. The county commission approved the purchase Tuesday for $100,000. Those will be ordered and installed.

The 911 board also approved the purchase for $80,000 units to go in the five towers to monitor adjacent county radio systems.

The scanner system will allow law enforcement officers to monitor Hillsdale, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Steuben (Ind.) counties directly in each vehicle. The dispatchers now relayed to Branch County units communicate with surrounding counties.

The addition will aid officers in chases and when neighboring law enforcement officers need aid without being relayed through two central dispatch offices.

"That affects the sheriff more than anybody," Schmaltz said. "Bronson a little bit and Quincy a little bit to be able to do that."

Officers can do it now, but they must change channels. The chief explained that there is sometimes a lag of five to 30 seconds when communications are lost.

The committee wants to install one unit and make sure it works as proposed before the purchase is finalized and all the units are installed.

For the system itself, there is still a long way to go. Schmaltz said.

"I would anticipate installs of the mobile's somewhere to the middle to the end of February," he said. "We'll have to work off the portables during that transition time" when the new system becomes primary."

Then radio units will be installed in vehicles after consoles are installed in 911 for the new system.

Norman said there is money for the additions.

"Our bonding covers six towers," he said. Only five were needed after testing. "So we do have the capability of doing projects like this."

New 911 Director Robert Swick said one dispatcher trainee quit, but another is in training and two more trainees are ready to start.

"If all complete the training, we would have a full staff," he said.

This would be the first time in three years all slots would be filled. The staffing now includes two shift supervisors under the director and assistant director.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Final tweaks to new emergency radio system underway