The piscataquis county emergency management agency proposes to implement the public safety communications equipment upgrades

This federal Project Grant award, provided by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA 16.753), will fund the Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency's initiative to upgrade public safety communications equipment. The $4,175,000 grant, awarded on July 1, 2024, will enable the county to extend and expand radio capabilities, improve signal coverage, and enhance information sharing between dispatch and first responders throughout Piscataquis County. Key project activities include working with a consulting group to evaluate existing infrastructure, develop a comprehensive communications plan, and implement solutions to improve radio performance, reliability, and safety for first responders and citizens. The project period extends from July 2024 through August 2028.

The purpose is to extend and expand the radio capability using the most enhanced technology available for piscataquis county. Project activities include working with a consulting group throughoutthe entire process who will examine and evaluate all of the existing radio sites and the dispatch center to inspect equipment and sub-systems, and identify solutions to provide a comprehensive communications plan. A project manager will be appointed by the county commissioners, and a planning committee will be appointed to include the county manager, town managers, first responders, and emergency managers. Expected outcomes include enhanced radio coverage throughout the entire county with strong signals for radio channel traffic, performance and reliability. Subrecipient activities include streaming communications and information between dispatch and first responders, clear radio traffic between agencies, ease of maintenance and mitigation with radios, towers, and repeaters, improved safety for all first responders and citizens in our county.