MARSHALL, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Consolidated Dispatch Authority of Calhoun County, which manages dispatch services for Police, Fire, and EMS agencies in the county, has a millage request on the ballot on August 2.
The request for .98 mils over a 10-year levy would result in a significant investment in countywide 911 services and would provide dedicated funding for the operation of the consolidated 911 center in Calhoun County.
County Dispatch officials say the major challenges that led to the millage request include outdated technology and lack of redundant systems, which are impeding operations of emergency response in Calhoun County.
For instance, there are multiple radio systems being used for emergency communications along with fire departments being on a different system than some law enforcement agencies, meaning that they are not able to communicate easily with one another.
In short officials say, without redundant and reliable systems, there are vulnerabilities in the critical systems that allow emergency responders to react to situations in Calhoun County.
Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority Director Mike Armitage says that if approved by voters on Aug. 2, the following improvements will be made:
- Additional radio towers will be built, which will improve coverage for public safety, which will allow for Calhoun to join the statewide Michigan Public Safety Communications System
- All agencies would move to a single radio system so that all first responders can communicate, across agencies and even county lines
- New radios would be purchased for the county agencies, which is then a cost the agencies do not have to purchase or maintain
- The computer-aided dispatch system would be upgraded to meet industry standards, which manages the daily operations of dispatch
Calhoun County Commissioners approved this millage in April to be added to the ballot for voters in August.
