September 25, 2003
September 25, 2003
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to award Monroe County $6 million to help develop interoperable communications systems.
The county was one of 17 communities nationwide selected to receive a portion of $79.6 million in federal funds. The grant is part of a joint program between DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop demonstration projects that will use equipment and technology to increase communications interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical service, and other public first response agencies.
“We selected Monroe County because the law enforcement community patrols one of Michigan’s busiest state borderlines, maintains security at the state’s largest nuclear power plant, and provides the jurisdiction’s urban and rural first responders,” Granholm said. “This grant will allow them to achieve public safety interoperability, enhancing communications at both the local and state level.”
The county project will promote themes of cooperation and partnership in developing capacities to meet public safety communication needs. It will demonstrate the integrated communication strategy of the state in preparing for homeland security needs and provide interoperability for the public safety community.
Monroe County will join Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS), a multi-site, dedicated public safety wireless communications network which enables all state, federal, and local agencies with radios on the system to communicate with each other in both routine and disaster situations.
“Monroe County’s interoperability initiatives will create a valuable partnership between the state and local Monroe County agencies,” said Col. Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director of Michigan State Police. “This collaboration will serve as a valuable model for other jurisdictions across the state and nation.”
Member benefits and services include, but are not limited to, an 800 MHz digital FM signal, multiple system redundancies with backup power, a wide range of talk groups, auto affiliation and de-affiliation, electronic identification on all transmissions, 99 percent microwave system reliability, encryption availability, emergency alert availability, private calling availability, system security, radio interoperability, 24-hour a day system management, and member radio use training.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is overseeing the grant process for DHS, while the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is overseeing DOJ's participation. The maximum federal share for each award is $6 million.
