Miami Co. to Upgrade 911 Dispatch Radios

Dec. 21--PERU -- Miami County commissioners Monday approved more than $600,000 to purchase and maintain new radio equipment for the county's central dispatch center.

Commissioner Josh Francis said $206,600 of the money will purchase three new Motorola radio consoles to replace the center's aging equipment, which was installed at least 11 years ago.

Out of the three radio consoles currently used by dispatchers, only one is working fully, he said. One of the consoles hasn't worked for a year because manufacturers stopped making the part needed to fix it.

Sheriff Tim Miller, who oversees the dispatch center, said the new equipment is necessary to keep dispatchers up and running.

"We've neglected this for years, and now we're at the time where we have to do something," he said.

The county is also spending $410,600 on a 21-year maintenance agreement with Motorola, which will update and fix all the equipment for the duration of the contract.

Francis said the state is updating its dispatch system with Motorola, and has also agreed to a 21-year maintenance contract with the company. He said that's why the county decided on a 21-year agreement.

"We shouldn't have to do anything new with this system anytime that any of us are going to be here (in office)," he said.

The county has also entered into a joint agreement with Cass and Fulton counties, who are upgrading their dispatch radios with the same equipment from Motorola, which allows dispatchers from all three counties to share equipment in case of an emergency.

"This gives all three counties some flexibility in case something would happen," Francis said.

Commissioners said they now plan to approach Peru officials about sharing the cost of the new equipment, since it is also used by city officers.

The maintenance agreement is being paid from the county's 911 fund, Francis said.

Carson Gerber can be reached at 765-854-6739, carson.gerber@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter @carsongerber1.

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