Kent County going to MPSCS?

[Skud]

I wounder if they are looking at an EDAC system or going to the MPSCS system. Checking online for more info.

{FROM WOODTV8}

Commissioners vote to add surcharge to cell phone bills

Posted: Feb 28, 2008 05:24 AM EST

Updated: Feb 28, 2008 09:23 AM EST




GRAND RAPIDS - You will soon have to pay more to call 911.

The Kent County Dispatch Authority asked the county to get rid of its current system of a central dispatch and use technology to make emergency response more efficient.

Local public safety agencies, like police and fire departments, will be on the same radio frequencies.

It gives dispatchers at the county's five emergency call centers a better way of communicating with each other.

The $3.6 million price tag will be paid for out of your phone bill with a 4% surcharge on land lines.

The original plan didn't include a charge for cell phones.

In December, the State House approved a set of bills that would allow counties to charge 911 fees to cell phone users and users of phones connected through the internet.

The commission voted and approved the issue Thursday morning.

It will go into effect July 1st.

 

[Skud]

found this in this years County Board of Commissioners meeting:

5. Central Dispatch: We are seeing movement, based upon the State’s enabling legislation passed late in 2007. Our Dispatch Authority has been diligent in its work, and now this month we will be making decisions on ongoing, sustainable funding for needed equipment enhancements and service improvements.
And I see they have a meeting today to discuss
2-28-08-26 Amend the 911 Service Plan / Administrator’s Tanis / Adopt Roll Call
Office
2-28-08-27 Authorize a 911 Surcharge / Administrator’s Tanis / Adopt Roll Call

 

[Skud]

Phone surcharge OKd for 911 upgrade


http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7937921

 

[PMSCAN]

Skud:

From discussions at a recent Kent County RACES meeting sounds like MPSCS in 2009.

 

[Skud]

If it is going to the MPSCS system, I have heard of many dead spots in Kent county. I wounder if they will have to put up a tower first. we will see. And I would agree with the rebanding it would not be till late this year or next year. I would if it will be all agencies or all minus GRPD.

 

[Skud]

Little more Info on the possible agencies that will get new radios:
The Kent County Dispatch Authority has 13 members, appointed by their respective governing bodies or the authority itself, and includes: Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt, Kent County Commissioner Arthur Tanis, Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma, Grandville City Commissioner Randy Gelderloos, Walker City Commissioner Chuck Deschaine, Lowell Police Chief Jim Valentine, Rockford City Manager Michael Young, Michigan State Police Lt. Steve Harper, Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk, Grand Rapids Assistant City Manager Greg Sundstrom, Cannon Township Supervisor Peter MacGregor, Plainfield Township Fire Chief David Peterson, Kent EMS Executive Director Senez Rodriguez.

Will be nice to hear all this traffic. Only thing I hope is they don't do a Kalamazoo City and go Encrypted
Their is that chance they could do like Ingham County and went with their own EDAC system.

 

[rdale]

For the EDACS option - are they talking UHF or 800?

 

[jack3726]

Moving the county and nearby cities with there own home grown systems to MPSCS would be a huge project. Just moving the county would take with it I am not sure how many Grandville, Kentwood etc. Would they move fire to it as well.

 

[Skud]

Unsure on if they are looking at the MPSCS system or EDAC but I would say one of the two.
From the notes in March

* In 2006, the County and the cities of Grandville, Grand Rapids, Walker, and Wyoming
entered into an agreement to create the Kent County Dispatch Authority (KCDA) to
implement technology integration and operational compatibility of dispatch of emergency
police, fire, and ambulance services

If they go with a EDAC system I bet the whole county would use it, if they go with the states system not sure how many will, but Walker just went with a LTR Provoice system so they would buy new radios again unless they patch from theirs.

 

[n8jsn]

While I know this is a couple months old.

The answer to the question is definetly not the state system.

Lot's of options are on the table BUT definetly not MPSCS

- Jeff

 

[Skud]

yeah I was think that might do just like Ingham County and setup their own EDAC system.

 

[xzebra008]

To Sum it all up?

Which hand held should I buy with the smallest price tag?
I want something that will not be obsolete within the next 2 years!

 

[rdale]

If they don't go digital, any scanner on the market that trunks EDACS will work.

 

[xzebra008]

Apco 25 ?

Another person had told me I would need a digital scanner that supports APCO 25 which means that I would have to buy the Uniden BCD396T. I just cannot afford one of these.

 

[rdale]

Again - if they don't go with a digital system, you won't need a digital scanner.

 

[Skud]

yup. most likley but not 100$ you would need a scanner that can do EDAC. Which most from the last 5 years can. Still a waiting game.

 

[Skud]

Of course this can always change but still looks like they wanted to go on to the MPSCS system instead of a stand alone system line Allegan or Ingham county.

from:
http://www.cityofgrandville.com/ReferenceDesk/AgendasMinutes/CC/2005/050425.htm

City Council Minutes
from 2005

The Kent County Dispatch Authority Agreement was discussed in February, 2005 and was before the City Council to decide if Grandville will participate in the Kent County Dispatch Authority Agreement. City Manager Krombeen gave a brief overview of the Central Dispatch Authority Agreement. During the Interim Period, an Interim Administrative Policy Board will be established and will consist of one representative from the cities of Grandville, Walker, Wyoming, Kent County, and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. The Board will hire an Interim Project Manager to work to resolve outstanding issues in preparation for placing a referendum before the voters in August 2006 to fund County Central Dispatch services. Mr. Krombeen summarized the economic impacts to the City of Grandville if the Agreement is authorized or not authorized. City Council voiced concerns with opting out causing Grandville citizens to fund local dispatch as well as paying millage for Central Dispatch, staffing of the local dispatch center, response times, and replacement of equipment. Council Member Sierawski referred to the Final Report from L. Robert Kimball & Associates, consultants authorized to this study by Kent County Board of Commissioners. Kimball recommends the best option for Kent County is to join the MPSCS which would not require obtaining any additional frequencies and licenses. By joining the MPSCS, the issue of interoperability is simplified for the County and would shift a lot of the risks to the State. L. Robert Kimball recommends the County join the MPSCS as opposed to creating a stand alone system. Mr. Sierawski voiced concern that the County will not pursue the MPSCS option. Grandville Dispatcher Marc Larabel spoke in support of a local dispatch. Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Ponstein, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize Grandville joining the Kent County Central Dispatch Authority.

 

[lakeboatnut]

Any kent County Updates

have there been any updates on this issue? I have heard rumors that Kent county is indeed going to the MPSCS but have not been able to confirm this.

 

[Skud]

nothing yet and we don't even know for sure if they will go to the states system and maybe not put up their own EDAC system like Allegan and Ingham did.
One thing I know if the state would have to do something about coverage in kent County, for the most part grand Rapids as I hear maybe problems in G.R all the time when the state is in G.R. or the Metro task force is doing under cover work in G.R.. I would not be surprise to see a new tower or maybe they move the Cedar Springs or Cannonsburg down to somewhere in G.R.
It is still just a waiting game.