HINDS COUNTY- It has been a long road for the county’s E911 emergency communications system and the final steps are now being taken to join the statewide system.
The county has previously been using AirWae LLC and the 911 fund was quickly depleted due to continual maintenance. The Board voted in May to pay for a new system and join the Mississippi Wireless Information System or MSWIN. The Clarion-Ledger reports that the finishing touches were put on the contract late last week.
Tony Greer, president of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors says that MSWIN gives the county a chance at major savings, possibly in the area of $80,000 a month that was going towards maintenance with AirWave.
The county is currently waiting on the city of Jackson to determine whether they will participate in the system or not. If they chose to coin the county the contract will cost $8 million, if Jackson is not in, then the amount will drop to $5 million. They have till the end of the year to decide.
The switch could take anywhere from nine to 12 months. The new system will connect first responders and emergency centers in a way that cuts out the middle man. Vickie Helfrich, Executive officer of the Wireless Communications Commission said that it will provide immediate communication among federal, state, and local agencies.
