Two separate emergency expenditures have been approved for the Bartholomew County’s 911 Emergency Operations Center.
Emergency approval by the Bartholomew County commissioners was given just a few weeks after a potentially dangerous situation emerged, E-911 Center Director Todd Noblitt said.
“We found that, for some reason, we were having issues communicating effectively with all our public safety personnel in the field,” Noblitt said.
After switching to a backup radio communication system, personnel from ERS Wireless — a technology services company with expertise in wireless voice, data, and video solutions — were immediately called in, Noblitt said.
The communication failure was tracked down to a faulty Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) system, which boosts radio signals to enhance signal coverage for public safety radios. Also known as a repeater, the system ensures that a local dispatcher’s signal reaches a state-owned tower that provides effective communications with all local public safety agencies in the field, he said.
After explaining the necessity of the $12,498 purchase for a new repeater system, Noblitt asked the commissioners to declare it an emergency expenditure.
Such expenses are declared when a serious problem emerges that must be addressed immediately without the normal purchase procedure of advertising, seeking bids and awarding a contract. That was the case on May 27, when a bridge on County Road 400W had to be closed immediately. Milestone Contractors was brought in on an emergency basis to stabilize the structure over East Fork White River.
Another factor is that ERS Wireless personnel have expertise with the center’s equipment that no other local firm has, county officials said.
The company’s technicians also replaced a nearly 20-year-old repeater system located in Harrison Township that has been used exclusively for fire departments, Noblitt said.
While the outdated BDA has performed well for several years, immediate replacement was necessary because parts and service are no long available, Noblitt said.
“If we lose power, we will not be able to communicate with fire departments,” Noblitt said.
The cost of replacing the system in Harrison Township was $10,844, Noblitt said.
The $23,342 required to buy both systems will come out of the Emergency Operations Center’s annual budget, so no additional allocation of funds will be required, he said.
