The Fire Department secured a $350,000 federal grant to completely overhaul its antiquated radio system, which should last more than 10 years and take a financial burden off taxpayers, officials said.
The highly competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allow the department to replace all radios in the fleet, as well as the handheld portables for each firefighting position.
Fire Chief Gary Merwede said the equipment will be useful for more than 10 years and helps the town and taxpayers save money because the radio system no longer needs to be in next year’s capital budget.
The new radios will be tri-band and allow direct communication with surrounding police, fire and EMS agencies, as well as the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.