Last year, Dodge County chose to update its emergency radio system for first responders, hoping to address ongoing communications issues with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.
But for the dozen or so rural fire departments and law enforcement entities throughout the county, a decision remains.
In July, the county entered into an agreement with Motorola Solutions to build four new radio towers that would accommodate a new 700/800 Mhz radio system, part of a network called ORION — a massive $11 million project that would build four new radio towers throughout the county and contributed to a tax raise last year. Individual law enforcement and fire entities still have the opportunity to opt out of upgrading their radio equipment to join the new system.
And while the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is eager to join the new system, some rural fire and law enforcement entities have been more hesitant.