Law Enforcement Center schedules 911 upgrades

Lake Region Law Enforcement Center (LRLEC) is making an investment in the future of emergency services in Eddy, Ramsey, Benson, and Nelson counties. The $372,000 project will bring LRLEC online with the Statewide Interoperability Radio Network (SIRN), allowing 911 dispatchers, law enforcement, fire departments and EMS services to connect with agencies throughout the state.

"Not only are we having SIRN installed, with a projected install date of July 18th of this year, we are also replacing our three consoles which are 18 years old and past due for replacement," LRLEC Director Rob Johnson told the Transcript.

The SIRN equipment and installation comes at a cost of $357,844.50. The console replacement and installation is $62,416.74. LRLEC secured a $47,911 Community Development Block Grant through North Central Planning Council to be applied toward the SIRN project, leaving a direct cost to LRLEC of $372,350.24.

The LRLEC Board of Directors, for which Commissioner Dave Gehrtz represents Eddy County, recently approved a formula to determine the portion each member county/city would pay. The formula breaks down as such:

• 22% based off of share of administrative calls per member

• 22% based off of share of 911 calls per member

• 44% based off of share of total phone lines per member

• 12% split evenly between the 5 members

Since Eddy County has the fewest 911 calls, fewest administrative calls, and second fewest total phone lines, we will pay the smallest share of the costs. Eddy County's cost share equals just over 10% of the cost, or $39,282.95. The move to a statewide radio network has been in the works since 2014, and other areas have already completed the transition. We'll have more on the impact to local emergency response in a future issue.