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Digital, analog radio operations for safety forces debated

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May 28, 2008

by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Nordonia Hills -- Whether area safety forces switch from analog radio to digital communications is a more complicated question than it would initially seem.

If local communities decide to switch from 400 megahertz radio to 800 megahertz digital technology now, they could be eligible for thousands of dollars in Homeland Security Grants that won't be available in coming years, according to county officials.

With the new digital equipment, Nordonia Hills agencies will be able to communicate with other towns that have made the switch -- except for neighboring Twinsburg and Hudson, which also operate on 400 megahertz radios.

On the other hand, if no change is made, the communities may have to pay more for the cutting-edge technology in future years, or risk being unable to communicate with those towns that do not switch.

The quandry was discussed by local public officials meeting May 20 to discuss greater cooperation among fire and emergency medical services in Boston Heights, Macedonia, Northfield Center, Northfield Village and Sagamore Hills.

"Our county is looking at making the entire county 800 megahertz," said Macedonia Mayor Don Kuchta, referring to the digital system. "We have to look at what our options are."

According to Steve Libby, Summit County director of public safety, 21 of the county's 31 communities have switched or are switching to the county's digital system.

In addition, he said, Cuyahoga County as a whole is banking grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help fund a countywide switch to the digital system. He said this puts communities in northern Summit County at risk of being incapable of communicating with safety forces in communities to both the north and south.

"It's the northern Summit County communities that are just now showing an interest in what we're doing," said Libby. "I'm afraid that northern Summit County will ultimately get squeezed."

Libby said digital radios compatible with the county system cost $3,000 each, versus under $1,000 for 400 megahertz devices. However, he added much of this cost can be offset by Homeland Security funding, which he said would pay 70 percent of the total cost, up to $125,000 per community.

This funding, however, will not be available forever, said Annette Petranic, emergency management coordinator for the county.

"We see the writing on the wall with Homeland Security dollars. They are definitely going away," she said.

Costs questioned

Some local officials said the cost may be too much to bear at this time.

"Our communities have to be aware of costs. Macedonia is still running by the skin of our teeth," said Kuchta.

Though an inventory of radio equipment owned by the five communities still needs to be done, Northfield Village Mayor Victor Milani estimated that between the village police and fire departments, the village has about 50 portable and vehicle radios that would need to be replaced.

Northfield Center Fire Chief Robert Derrit said the more expensive system would be a more expensive burden in coming years.

"The equipment will need to be replaced in eight, 10 or 12 years and there won't be a grant to pay for it then," he said.

A consultant invited to attend the meeting advised the communities to hold off on making the switch.

David Reichelt, owner of L-Tronics, a Willoughby-based electronic communications consulting firm, said that the digital system will be the way to go in coming years because it provides static-free transmission. But he advised the communities to hold off for now on jumping onto the digital bandwagon, as their present radios are cost-effective and efficient.

"Your police and fire services have indicated that they have gotten good service out of them," he said.

Reichelt added surrounding communities, including those in southern Cuyahoga County and Twinsburg and Hudson, still use the analog system. He also said the current digital equipment is expected to be obsolete by about 2014.

The officials agreed to develop an inventory of their equipment.

Petranic said the county can then help come up with an estimate for what a conversion might cost.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169




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