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On Tuesday, the Troup County Board of Commissioners approved a purchase from Motorola Solutions to replace the fire department’s cache of portable radios.

The portable radios are not cheap as they are designed to withstand high temperatures and remain reliable in harsh conditions. The knobs and buttons on the radios are also designed to be usable while wearing protective equipment.

Emergency Management Director Zac Steel said that the Troup County Fire Department’s radios are roughly 15 to 20 years old. He said a lot of them are starting to break and replacement parts are becoming harder and harder to get as newer models have become standard.

The fire department requested funds to replace all the departments portable radios, which would be a purchase of 21 military/fire grade radios and speaker mics.

Steele said they received a quote of $121,122.18 from Motorola Solutions for the 21 radios.

The radios would fully supply the department’s 16 firefighters and provide one for the battalion chief as well as all four administrative vehicles.

Steele said the department’s Kenwood radios, which aren’t meant for the wear and tear of firefighting, will become administrative radios. The older Motorola radios that remain functional would be given to the roads department.

“We realized during the March 26 tornado that communication between emergency services and the road department didn’t quite work, especially with cell service down,” Steele said.

Steele said that he confirmed with City of LaGrange IT that they are purchasing the same radios to connect to the new 911 system.

The radio purchase was unanimously approved using SPLOST funds.

In other business, the Board of Commissioners:

4Approved a MOU between the county and Office of the Child Advocate to accept approximately $30,000 in federal grant funding.

4Approved a request from Mental Health Court to apply for an Enhancement  and Innovative Grant for $32.340, which will provide funds for random and monthly comprehensive drug screens, transportation and increased home checks.

4Approved a request from Felony Drug Court to apply for an Enhancement and Innovative Grant in the amount of $23,100 for additional drug screening.

4Approved a bid from MJR Solutions in the amount of $86,340 to replace the LaGrange Active Life Center roof.

4Approved a beer and wine license for Akbar Pirani at 4584 Hamilton Rd.