Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday that nearly $7.2 million in state funding will improve the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s (DESPP) public safety radio technology.
“Funding these improvements to DESPP’s public radio system will provide greater resiliency to our overall emergency communications network and more dependable communications for our first responder community,” said Gov. Malloy in a press release.
Specifically, the funds will finance the first phase of replacement and upgrade DESPP’s radio communication systems, which includes new troop and headquarters dispatch equipment, 212 mobile radios, and 40 control station desktop radios.
These funds will target the communications equipment at state police troops and also will upgrade the 700/800 MHZ radio system’s resilience by providing enhanced backup capabilities, which reduce the risk of potential outages.
The current 700/800 MHZ system covers 8,400 users, representing state agencies, tribal nations, and all local public safety answering points, as well as the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the nuclear Millstone Power Station.
