New tower will improve reliability of 911, first responder communications

Barry County Central Dispatch and Emergency Management will soon receive state funding to build an additional emergency communications tower, thanks to a grant secured by state Reps. Julie Calley and Thomas Albert.

The $3 million project is included in the new state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

“The public safety radio system is a vital tool that connects first responders with residents, dispatchers and each other,” Calley said. “If the system isn’t properly supported, there’s a risk it will fail, leaving residents and emergency responders without this vital lifeline during an emergency. Furthermore, additional radio upgrades are delayed until adequate communications towers are installed to allow for the increased connectivity.”

Barry County’s 800-megahertz public safety radio system was implemented in the early 2000s. Because the number of users has increased substantially over the last 21 years, the system is now overloaded, putting it at risk. 

Additional tower sites will increase the system’s capacity, improve coverage, and support the sharing of additional information and data to better meet the needs of police, firefighters, emergency medical responders and the Barry County families they serve.

“This equipment upgrade will help first responders serve their communities and make them safer places to live,” said Albert, who as chair of the House Appropriations Committee plays a lead role in developing the state budget.

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