The City of Shakopee applied for a grant earlier this year in the amount of $485,238.24 to replace all of the 800 MHz radios in the fire department. This included 57 portable radios, 2 base radios for the fire stations, and 17 mobile truck radios. Unfortunately, we were not successful in obtaining the grant.

Interim Fire Chief Mike Scott has identified an immediate need to replace 20 of the portable radios that were purchased in 2006 and are no longer supported by Motorola for repairs or service. The 20 portable radios would help provide safe communications for our fire crews at emergency calls.

After completion of the fire department services evaluation study by Citygate, the fire department will plan accordingly in future budgets to address remaining radio replacements.

Funding for the purchase of the 20 portable radios at a cost of $136,226.70 would come from the recent sale proceeds of the surplus Rescue Truck for $180,000.