Council OKs Funding for Emergency System

A joint agreement for an upgraded countywide emergency radio system won City Council approval this week.

The retooled system, which will cost the city $2.6 million over five years, will link all police, fire and public works employees across the county onto one network.

The five council members already had approved one agreement for the 800-megahertz system, but it was tabled in the wake of the county’s December 1994 bankruptcy filing.

County officials last month proposed having cities pay a greater share of the cost for the $80-million system. Originally set to pick up 45% of the tab, the county now will pay 39%, shifting an additional $6.1 million to cities.

While some cities are squabbling about the added cost, David L. Rudat, interim city manager, said the system would be worth the extra $325,000 that Orange will pay.

“Even with the increased costs, in the long run it is something we need to do,” he said.

Upgrading the network has been in the works for a decade, with police, fire and other municipal agencies stating that the existing radio system is inadequate.

“As a matter of survival, we need to go to 800 megahertz,” Police Chief John R. Robertson said. “It is a natural step in communications and one that is about 10 years overdue.”