Pa. county gets $300,000 for emergency radios

By Jim Hook
The Public Opinion

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — First responders in Franklin County are getting more federal money to help pay for radios that comply with the county's new emergency communications system.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, announced Thursday that he secured $300,000 in funding for the Franklin County Emergency Services Alliance.

The alliance represents 71 agencies — local law enforcement, fire, ambulance and municipal governments — all of whom are buying equipment to operate on the updated 911 system. A survey of members in January 2008 indicated a need of $5 million for them to comply with the county's digital trunking system, scheduled to be operational in the spring.

The $300,000 is included in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, according to a Shuster spokesman.

The appropriation requires Senate approval and the president's signature.

"It's pretty much there," said Shuster spokesman Jeff Urbanchuck.

It's unclear which alliance members can qualify for the latest round of funding.

A previous $500,000 grant secured by Shuster went to law enforcement members of the alliance. The Community Oriented Policing Services grant came through the U.S. Department of Justice. The county sheriff's office, county drug task force and municipal police departments of Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Waynesboro and Washington Township are splitting the grant, according to county grants administrator Carrie Jenkins. They had requested 160 units which include base radios, mobile radios for vehicles and hand-held radios.

First responders are upgrading their communications equipment so all police, fire and emergency medical services can speak directly with each other during an emergency. The new radios also will allow them to communicate with federal counterparts in times of emergency in nearby metropolitan areas.

The county is spending $7 million to update its 911 center, eliminate emergency radio "dead zones" across the county and to allow interoperability of radios.

Firefighters in the region previously received a $1 million grant to buy radios. Individual fire companies also have received other grants.

Grant money is scarce.

"It's getting tight. It's getting tough," said Anna Swailes of Emergency Services Alliance. "We're open to other options, but I'm not filling out any grant applications right now."

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