Funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act. City Council voted unanimously at its June 14 meeting to use the funds to purchase new radios, consoles and other equipment.
City Manager Scott Campbell told council that the current system has outlived its useful life and is creating problems for first responders.
Police Chief Jeriahme Miller said police and fire officials cannot talk with each other at the scene of a fire because their radio systems are not compatible.
“We’ve got a tough time communicating with each other within the city,” he said. “This will alleviate those problems.”
The new system will also allow Roanoke first responders to communicate better with most surrounding communities in Tarrant and Denton counties, according to a city memo.
“This is a huge leap forward,” Shawn Scott told council members. Scott is a senior account manager with Mobile Communications America (MCA), who will be helping the city with its new Motorola equipment purchase.
The new radios are expected to arrive within eight to 12 weeks with the entire system to be fully functional by late November or early December, Scott said.
