WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
Wireless Communications - Department 11540
Contact: Thomas Weber
Department Description/Function
The Washington County Wireless Communications department designs, procures, installs, and maintains all non-cellular communication systems and related equipment in Washington County government. The department is also the radio vendor for the City of Hagerstown Fire and Police departments, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services, Washington County Health Department, and all municipalities located with Washington County. Wireless operates and maintains the P25 Public Safety radio systems for all Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS. Wireless operates and maintains the Public Safety Paging system and Fire Station Alerting system for all fire departments in Washington County. Wireless also maintains the 911 radio dispatch positions at the main and backup Emergency Communications Centers (ECC) in the County.
Goals Fiscal Year 2026
Replace wall mounted HVAC units at ten Washington County Communications shelters. The old units were last installed in 2006-2009. This was an FY2025 goal but due to lengthy manufacturing delays, the new goal is to be completed by Spring 2026. Complete antenna replacements on Fairview MPT emergency transmission radio tower. This is the last antenna to be replaced from the FY2025 goal. Complete the integration the new Motorola UHF GRV paging system. This will now trigger fire station house sirens and allow fire/EMS users with new Unication G5 pagers to receive 2 tone pages and voice announcements. Begin the possible transfer and relocation of 130’ communication tower from Washington County Board of Education to Wireless Communications for use at the future 911 ECC at 540 Western Maryland Parkway. Replace backup batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) at all emergency communications sites that are five years old or older. Add second Microwave Backhaul link between 33 W. Washington Street and Quirauk Mountain communications sites for improved diverse path. Complete the shut-down of backup and low band fire/EMS transmitter that has been in service since 1973.
Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2025
Achieved the FY2025 goal of distributing 1,005 new Motorola APX NXT radios for Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS. Achieved the FY2025 goal of adding Geo-Prime redundancy for Astro P25 radio system at 33 West Washington Street to add extra layer of protection from radio system outages. Achieved the FY2025 goal of upgrading Public Safety Fire Station Alerting Systems as part of the Motorola system project upgrade. Replaced antennas associated with Astro P25 and Paging systems at nine of ten RF transmissions sites. The final antenna will be replaced in FY2026.
2026 Budget Document
178
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