L.A. County to spend $6.2 million to upgrade Fire Department communications
October 20, 2009 | 4:25
pm
Los Angeles County supervisors voted today to spend $6.2 million to upgrade the county Fire Department’s communication system.
The department’s chief deputy, Daryl Osby, said the move will allow their radio system to better link to other critical agencies -- including the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Forest Service -- during a fire.
The decision to upgrade was driven by a 2013 deadline imposed by the Federal Communications Commission for public safety agencies to migrate to new radio frequencies.
“Our hope is that this new equipment will roll out well before the deadline,” Osby said.
-- Garrett Therolf reporting from the Hall of Administration
