Monrovia Fire Upgrades Emergency Radio Technology

The City Council voted to approve the purchase of $221,000 in new radios and computers for the last week to replace the department's outdated communication technology.

Fire Chief Christopher Donovan told the council that the department's current radios, which are 10 years old, would be rendered obsolete next year by new federal requirements.

The emergency radios and mobile data computers are "the backbone of our emergency response system," Donovan said.

"The ability to transfer accurate and timely voice and data communication leads to effective and efficient responses and improves safety of the community we serve as well as the firefighters themselves," Donovan wrote in an agenda report.

Most of the money for the radios is covered by a $198,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant the fire department was awarded. The city must put up 10 percent of that amount in matching funds.

The department had to purchase Motorola radios because they're the standard brand used by other fire departments in the Verdugo system. The computers the department chose are Panasonic Toughbooks, an expandable and "ruggedized" model that can withstand vibration, heat and moisture. It can be removed from the engine for mobile use as well, Donovan said.