Seven area counties, including Hancock County, have been awarded a $1.4 million grant to upgrade VHF radio frequency systems in each county.
The grant award was announced by the Putnam County Office of Public Safety and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Hancock and Putnam counties, along with Allen, Hardin, Auglaize, Mercer and Van Wert counties, are participating in the "Northwest Ohio Regional Radio Project" (NWORRP).
The federal grant will cover 80 percent of the project cost, with the counties splitting the remaining 20 percent.
The NWORRP participants, including personnel from emergency management agencies, law enforcement, fire, EMS and a local communications service provider, have been meeting for three years on the project.
The group has agreed to partner with the Ohio Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) to use an infrastructure already built by the state. As a result, the counties will save an estimated $30 million by not having to construct towers or maintain and upgrade individual systems.
Through the project, each county's office of public safety, from first responders to the 911 dispatch center, will have a modernized communication system. Participants will be able to talk in close range or across the state without the need for additional specialized equipment.
The grant award was announced by the Putnam County Office of Public Safety and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Hancock and Putnam counties, along with Allen, Hardin, Auglaize, Mercer and Van Wert counties, are participating in the "Northwest Ohio Regional Radio Project" (NWORRP).
The federal grant will cover 80 percent of the project cost, with the counties splitting the remaining 20 percent.
The NWORRP participants, including personnel from emergency management agencies, law enforcement, fire, EMS and a local communications service provider, have been meeting for three years on the project.
The group has agreed to partner with the Ohio Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) to use an infrastructure already built by the state. As a result, the counties will save an estimated $30 million by not having to construct towers or maintain and upgrade individual systems.
Through the project, each county's office of public safety, from first responders to the 911 dispatch center, will have a modernized communication system. Participants will be able to talk in close range or across the state without the need for additional specialized equipment.
