Multi-Million Dollar Network Finally Finished

Officials in Essex County, New York, have finally finished the new digital public safety radio system. The $17 million network of over 400 mobile radios and 11 towers went live a month ago.  Construction on the project began in 2009 after three years of planning. The new system covers 17 towns, and replaced the 1950s-era analog system with a state-of-the-art digital network. Emergency Management reported, “As a big part of the radio project, Essex County paid $580,000 to WPTZ for 13 acres on Terry Mountain in Peru, Clinton County. The four towers there are utilized for emergency communications in the northern end of Essex County.  WPTZ is now broadcasting from Mt. Mansfield in Vermont.” In order to complete the project, 11 towers had to be constructed throughout the county, and the process was long. “Approvals for the project had to come from the Adirondack Park Agency, State Department of Environmental Conservation, Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration and others,” Emergency Services Deputy Director Michael Blaise said. (Emergency Management) There are still some kinks that need to be worked out, but overall the project is finished. Wireless carriers have begun to install equipment on some of the new towers. Verizon and AT&T are both co-locating on a tower on Belfry Mountain in Moriah.