Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/185868
Sarasota News Leader October 4, 2013 with public safety personnel in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to learn about their replacement of radio equipment before the Republican National Convention was held in Tampa the previous month. During an April commission discussion about Sarasota County's outdated 800MHz radio system, staff estimated the total cost of obtaining and installing new equipment at $18.5 million. Page 40 Tobias explained to the County Commission in April that the Motorola SmartZone 800 MHz Digital Trunked Radio system Sarasota County began using in 1996 was the first of its kind in the nation, providing radio communications to all the fire and EMS departments in the county — except the Longboat Key Fire Department — as well as to all the law enforcement agencies except for those on Longboat Key. It also serves non-public safety agencies such as the Sarasota County School Board, Sarasota County Area Transit and public works agencies throughout the county. Once the consultant is hired, Tobias told the two boards on Sept. 17, it should take about 90 days for the firm to "come back with a package ready for us to put out to bid for the Altogether, the system has 5,000 field radios, vendor" for the replacement system. he pointed out. A clause in the contract says the consultant also will work with staffs from Sarasota and However, because of the age of the system, Manatee counties to select the vendor for the replacement parts are available only on the new system, Tobias noted, to make certain market for used equipment. In a memo he that firm can comply with the specifications provided the County Commission in advance of that meeting, Tobias noted the system had the consultant draws up. Emergency services staff says it is critical for first responders in Sarasota and Manatee counties to be able to communicate easily with each other by radio. Photo courtesy Sarasota County