County to seek consultant to evaluate radio systems

Whitman County commissioners on Monday morning approved advertising for radio system consulting services for the county’s Emergency Management department.

The consultant will evaluate the current radio systems in use within the county.

There are five systems that need to be addressed: Whitman County Sheriff, Firenet which covers the north and west side of the county, Fire 3 which covers Palouse and Fire Districts 12 and 14, Colfax Fire and Sierra which is the Washington State University Fire Department.

According to Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld, the county has multiple VHF radio systems, and the county’s public safety radios are maintained by the county’s radio systems manager.

Deadline for the proposals is March 27.

Consulting firms who respond with proposals must understand all county radio user needs and expectations, perform evaluations and prepare a report identifying existing conditions and making recommendations for improvements of existing facilities.

The consultant will evaluate the county’s current radio sites and determine if the sites are suitable and appropriately placed to accomplish the best possible coverage.

Whitman County public safety has already had all of its radio licenses reissued to meet the narrow banding deadline.

Tensfeld said when the Federal Communications Commission narrowed radio frequencies, the county lost 40 percent of its coverage. He said it reduced power, making the county add more radio sites to gain more coverage. He said the county will spend more than $500,000 on sites.

Tensfeld said the department has been saving money toward radio sites for the last three years and also will be able to get grants to help pay for the sites. He said the consultant will be able to assist the county about where the sites should be located.

“The consultant will be another set of eyes on what we’re doing, to see if we’re going the right way,” Tensfeld said.