Tippecanoe first responders get money for radios

Tag : Communication Radios

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A state grant will put more radiosin the hands of Tippecanoe County first responders.
The Department of Homeland Security announced a $20 millionstatewide grant targeted at enhancing voice and data communicationsystems around Indiana.
Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Director Mark Kirbyrequested money for more than 200 additional radios. The grantfunded only enough for 55.
Still, Kirby said he is pleased with the additional money. He saidthe funding may be used to purchase additional radios and systemupgrades that allows the county's current radios to operate moreeffectively.
"One thing that is always a concern is interoperability," Kirbysaid. "Can one radio talk to another radio?"
"So, we might look at some translation type of equipment that willallow the two systems to talk to one another on the fire ground."
Kirby said the system upgrades may also allow Tippecanoe County tocommunicate more efficiently with other responders in neighboringcounties.