Virginia County To Consider New Radio System
Vanessa Remmers, The Progress – Index (Petersburg, Virginia)
PRINCE GEORGE – As the lifespan of Prince George County’s emergency radio system nears its end, county leaders are looking into whether jumping on board with a regional radio system would be worth its millions.
The Board of Supervisors has directed county staff to start the search for a consultant who would determine the pros and cons of upgrading the county’s radio system.
For over a decade, Richmond, Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield County have all been part of a regional radio system whose technology allows emergency dispatchers and law enforcement to communicate over longer distances.
Like the county’s current system, the regional radio system is nearing the point where its parts have become limited or outdated.
In 2017, parts of the regional system will become outdated. It is estimated that Prince George’s system would become outdated around 2016.
Chesterfield director of Emergency Communications Richard Troshak said that localities plan to execute contracts and make payments in fiscal year 2015.
Some localities, including those in the Tri-Cities, have begun
needs-assessments. Others have already begun setting money aside to replace the multi-million dollar equipment. According to Troshak, Chesterfield has budgeted $36.5 million for the replacement.
“The dollar amount is difficult until a needs-analysis is conducted, but it would be about a $10 to $15 million venture [for Prince George],” County Administrator Percy Ashcraft said.
Board of Supervisors Chairman William A. Robertson speculated that the county would likely have to issue a bond and pay about $1 million each year over 10 years for the new equipment.
“It is a lot of money. No ifs, ands or buts about it. And it is electronics, not a school. It’s only going to last so long,” Robertson said.
On the other hand, joining the regional effort could save the county money in contractual fees. It could provide a benefit for the public safety at a time when police officers are more frequently traveling outside the county.
“Officers often go beyond city of Richmond. There has been an increase [in outside travel] particularly as it deals with mental health. Those necessary services often carry beyond the immediate area,” Police Chief Ed Frankenstein said. “Having that ability to communicate outside the county is a big issue.”
With the county’s current system, police officers can travel as far as Richmond and still communicate with dispatch. After that, officers usually have to use their cell phones, Frankenstein said.
For Vice-Chairman William F. Gandel, that situation is not sustainable.
“We have an antiquated system now, and we need to protect our public services and the only way we can do that is being on the cusp of new technology,” Gandel said. “If we do choose not to upgrade, we put our public safety and personnel at risk and I don’t want to be on a board that does that.”
The 1993 tornado in Colonial Heights and the 1998 death of a Richmond police officer were two catalysts for the regional system.
Since its implementation, communicating with other localities has been a true benefit, Troshak said.
“That’s the beauty of all tied in together because it gives our officers the ability to communicate. Criminals don’t pay attention to boundaries anymore,” Robertson said. “Most people don’t even know where boundaries of cities and counties are anymore.”
Money was the main obstacle that prevented previous county leaders from purchasing the regional system.
In 2000, Prince George hired a consultant who told the board that a 800 Megahertz system, the regional system, would cost about $15 to $16 million.
“The board didn’t have a heart attack, but they came pretty close to it,” Robertson said, referring to the board’s response to the system’s price tag.
The board instead opted for a cheaper system whose technology did not allow emergency personnel to communicate as far.
In 2006, Prince George law enforcement flipped the switch on a 400 Megahertz system that, like most others, has a 10 to 15-year life span.
“I think that we need to be able to plan what is going to replace this system whether that be this regional system or whether it be another system,” Frankenstein said. “We want to be able to be sure that we get the best for what we can afford.”
Currently, the county is spending about $100,000 a year on maintenance, which is less than that of other localities with larger systems, Frankenstein stated. He added that a needs-analysis would have to address the maintenance costs of the regional system.
An assessment by a consultant is expected to take about a year.
“I think we have to look at it to make a determination of whether it is cost-effective. We have to look at officer’s safety, at citizen’s safety, what is best for citizens of Prince George County,” Robertson said.
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