Office of Emergency Services Utilizes New Command Vehicle
(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – The Broome County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has led the purchase and installation of a new public safety radio system for county dispatch services. The radio system enables first responders to be notified of emergencies in the community and to request information or resources to mitigate, providing critical communication for all operations to take place.
In 2012, OES commissioned a comprehensive study of the existing public safety radio system, finding patchwork of 12 different systems, some dating back to the 1970s, with 55 primary agencies using them. Upgrades were made to the 911 center phones, radio consoles, and workstations. In 2017, eight new radio towers had been installed, followed by eight more towers (along with a new radio infrastructure at each site) in 2021.
The new setup is a UHF Digital Trunked P25 system, which will meet the counties needs for the next 20 years. This system connects to the needs of the public safety agencies, DPW, all county government agencies, and can incorporate schools and hospitals. Paging infrastructure has been improved for fire and EMS services, allowing the previous seven-system paging to be combined to one, countywide. The total project cost is approximately $35 million.
The OES purchased a new Mobile Command and Communications vehicle earlier this year, set to be utilized at several planned events each year (for example, the Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally, Greater Binghamton Airshow, Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, LUMA, Bridge Run, and more). The vehicle will also be deployed any time the OES’s special teams are active, such as HAZMAT, Water Rescue, and Wildland Search. It can also function as a backup 911 call center, if needed.
The price of the Mobile Command unit was $939,000, purchased in part with funding from the Broome County Interoperable Radio Project. Roughly 50% of the total cost was funded through grants from Assemblywoman Lupardo and former senator Akshar.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “Public safety is a top priority in Broome County and making sure that first responders have the best communications system is crucial. Our Emergency Services team is doing incredible work to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Thank you to Chairman Dan Reynolds and the Broome County Legislature, for their support in this important project, as well as Assemblywoman Lupardo, Sheriff Akshar, and Senator Webb for their efforts in securing funds for the entire system and new Mobile Command unit.”
Sheriff Fred Akshar said, “Modernized emergency response communication technology is an essential tool for our first responders to quickly and effectively serve, protect and aid our community’s families in situations where every second counts. I was proud to help move this project forward when I served as State Senator, and it’s exciting to see the fruits of our collective efforts as Sheriff. I’d like to applaud the work of the County Executive and the Broome County Legislature for partnering with us every step of the way to help create a safer, stronger Broome County.”
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “It’s imperative that our first responders have the resources and systems in place to function smoothly when emergencies arise. Now that the county-wide public safety radio system and new Mobile Command unit are in place, our network of first responders are better positioned to work together to keep our community safe. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the State Legislature for their support of this project as well as County Executive Garnar, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Broome County Legislature for leading the effort.”
State Senator Lea Webb said, "The new emergency radio system and OES command vehicle in Broome County is a game changer for our community. This investment is a testament to our commitment to keeping Broome County safe and prepared for any situation. These advanced tools ensure our first responders can communicate seamlessly and coordinate effectively during emergencies, ultimately saving lives and enhancing public safety.”
