The fee would apply to the agency that wants radios on the system. What the agency decides to do is up to that agency. If an VFD has the ability to cover it without going to each member for fees, then that is awesome. but from experience with 2 VFD's, that is very rare. They can apply for grants which a lot do, but it all depends on so many factors. Back when I first got involved on an VFD, all they could afford to supply me with, was an badge, an pager, turn outs, and a cute lil mag mount teardrop strobe light. At that time, they could not afford to buy any more radios. I bought my own used mobile, and an new HT. For about 3 months, only the chief, assistant chief, myself and one other guy had HT's. (I also puchased my own wig wags, deckblasters, and siren.) By the time I left, they had gotten multiple grants and were purchasing not only enough mobiles, and HT's for 40 volunteers, but also multiple new apparatus, and opening an second station. Compared to some things an volunteer has to dish out for, $200.00 an year for seamless, secure communications statewide, with ability to talk to multiple states etc, is not really that big a bite. Thats assuming the volee doesn't have to buy the radio first as the type that work on MSWIN... Are not cheap.
