Emergency management seeks $4,800 EMPG reallocation to add SHARES radio; installation funding still pending

Emergency management staff told commissioners they had applied for and been approved for an EMPG FY24 reallocation to add a SHARES radio at the county’s north emergency operations center for $4,800. Tammy Kenner said the SHARES system is a newer, more reliable replacement for the county’s aging SIMNET system.

"For this one, we were approved for $4,800 to add the shares radio to the north EOC," Kenner said. She added that a separate portion — just under $6,000 to pay a contractor and supplies to complete installation and to perform repairs and maintenance on both the north and primary EOCs — was not approved in the reallocation.

Staff said they are optimistic they can shift FY25 grant funds to complete installation; if not, Kenner said they may return to the commission to request county funds or use other discretionary sources. Commissioners expressed support for upgrading radios and asked staff to check whether REET funds or other local sources might be appropriate if grant shifts are not possible.

Next steps: staff will attempt to reassign FY25 grant funds for installation, explore other local funding sources if necessary, and return to the commission if additional county funding is required.