Eaton County is making another pitch to voters tonight on why upgrades to the county's radio communication is important.
A public forum will be held tonight in Charlotte to discuss a 911 surcharge that will appear on the November ballot for Eaton County voters to decide.
Eaton County 911 dispatchers and first responders say the current radio system is ancient and by April, 2018, the equipment will no longer be serviceable. Officials say now is the time to make an upgrade.
They say there are already problems with the current system. "Radio communication is the lifeline for all public safety first responders. Our current system has served us well but it is not obsolete. The aging equipment is no longer serviceable and we are starting to see system failures," according to Charlotte Police Chief Lisa Sherman.
The radio system is how dispatchers and first responders communicate and respond to emergencies. The project includes adding additional towers, new radios and pages for all first responders, and an upgrade to the system. "Once first responders are on scene, they need to be out of their vehicle dealing with the situation and not having to worry about whether their portable radios are going to function or not," said Eaton County Dispatch Director Michael Armitage.
"Currently Fire/EMS personnel in my agency have to carry multiple radios to communicate with our neighboring departments on emergency incidents," according to Chief John Clark of Delta Township Fire/EMS. "The proposed radio system would put all agencies on a common platform, providing for direct communication on the same channel/frequency."
The county needs help from the taxpayers to cover the cost. The proposal will appear on the November 7 ballot as a 911 surcharge. If passed, it would cost Eaton County residents up to a $1.75 a month per phone with the exception of pre-paid wireless plans. The surcharge would be paid off over 10 years.
Currently, 69 counties in Michigan have a 911 county surcharge. Tonight's forum begins at 7 p.m. in Charlotte at the Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte.
