WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Communication upgrades are coming to Washington County.
Channel 11 previously told you commissioners entered into a $24 million contract with Motorola to solve a problem many say has been going for years.
Wednesday evening, first responders packed the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Department to learn more about the upgrades.
The new system would replace analog with digital and would include new radios and towers.
“The coverage guarantee is that 95% of the county will be covered with mobile radios; 90% with portable radios.”
Some areas only experience 20-50% coverage with the current system.
It should also make it easier for county responders to work with neighboring departments.
“You could be responding to Washington County from a neighboring county and be able to do it with one radio.”
Another hot topic was cost.
“When we updated to the current radio system, we individually had to get a grant for $50,000 to get our radio,” one first responder said.
Officials say cost details will be worked out over the next several months.
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