Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Commission considers change to digital radio system




Read

Read

The Rutherford County Commission is studying the merits of moving to a new first responder communications system. The commission’s Public Safety Committee met last week and debated a Motorola P25 radio system.

The new digital radio system would replace the county’s old analog system, said Commissioner Pettus Read, the committee’s chairman. The committee decided on one of two options that Motorola presented to it.

“Our whole concern is to make sure our first responders, our sheriff’s department, and all those who are out to protect citizens can communicate and we can protect those individuals,” Read said, adding the system would allow deputies to communicate even when they are not in their cars.

The commission is now waiting for Motorola to present a more detailed plan, including whether more radio towers are needed, Read said. The cost would be about $16 million to $18 million. However, the county would acquire the system in a lease-to-buy type arrangement, so Motorola would upgrade the network for five years, meaning that after that period, the county would gain a “like new” system.

“It’s something we have been needing as we continue to grow and expand,” Read said.

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