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Madison EMS Communication Systems in Need of an Upgrade

Town first responders are hoping that, as the town works through major purchase requests through its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee, an update to the communications systems for emergency services makes its way up the list.

The current dispatch system and equipment used by police, fire, and ambulance personnel is quickly becoming outdated, according to Police Chief Jack Drumm.

“We need to improve this coverage and the new system will do that. We are pretty much in agreement that we need to move forward with this system for the town,” Drumm said to the Board of Selectmen as part of budget preparations. “It is only a matter of time before the system fails on us.”

The updates the CIP is reviewing for the communications system is a multi-phase project to be funded over an extended period of time, according to Committee Chair Jean Fitzgerald.

“The requested plan is a possible seven-year lease/purchase costing $275,030 a year,” she said. “But this number could change based on the amount of years for the lease. The lease on dispatch equipment is already in progress for $101,500 for the next three budget cycles. The original lease is 2014 to 2019.”

Fitzgerald said Phase I of the project will address many of the public safety concerns surrounding the aging system.

“Phase I of the communication plan focuses on the infrastructure upgrade,” she said. “This will include a new radio tower and the associated equipment. The improvement in radio talk-out and talk back coverage are required for public and officer safety.”

Drumm said establishing a new infrastructure is necessary to improve coverage and replace equipment.

“The project originally came in at $3.6 million for an all-inclusive [system], that was with a radio tower up in Rockland Preserve and adding to the tower on Ridge Road and the tower in North Madison,” he said. “We have cut it down to about $1.8 million, which is the critical infrastructure for us to improve dramatically the hand-held radio and the mobiles in the car.”

First Selectman Tom Banisch agreed these updates are necessary.

“I believe the plan is to start upgrading it in July,” he said. “My understanding is that [Chief Drumm] has it in the CIP starting in July, but of course it all has to be approved.”

The next CIP public meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Polson Middle School.