Lebanon County, PA is overhauling its 20-year-old emergency communications system with a $19 million budget. Lebtown reported that the upgrade will include seven towers (between $6 million to $7 million) and 2,000 radios ($12.9 million), reaching 95 percent of the county. Funding is coming from an American Rescue Plan Act grant ($13 million) and a bond secured by the county ($6 million).
The bid for the tower portion of the project has yet to be awarded, as the RFP was distributed late last month. County Commissioners plan to review bids on August 15.
“The goal of replacing this system is two-fold,” said Bob Dowd, director of the county’s Department of Emergency Services. “Number one is to bring current technology to first responders, better technology. And the other is to take advantage of that opportunity to fix any coverage gaps.”
When completed, Lebanon County will own 11 of its 13 towers, upgrading from a 10-tower system where it currently owns four towers. The county will also own the land where the towers are sited, reported Lebtown. According to Dowd, owning the site is more financially beneficial than renting. Additionally, leasing space to others will generate an added revenue stream.
Dowd added that the “aggressive timetable” has emergency responders testing the new system in late spring or early summer of 2025, with plans to “go live” in the fall. “As long as I sit in this chair, the plan is to make a continual fixed investment in the system instead of waiting 20 years and buying it brand new again,” he said, emphasizing the commitment to regular system upgrades.
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