Firefighters, police to get radio upgrade

Addison emergency workers will get a radio technology upgrade to help them avoid communication pitfalls like the problems faced by rescuers on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York.

The village's public health, safety and judicial committee adopted a resolution Monday that will equip Addison police, firefighters and public works employees with radios that communicate with emergency workers throughout the county and state.

The idea, officials say, is to prepare for unexpected emergencies and disasters that require extra help.

"That was one of the big problems with 9/11, was that they couldn't communicate with each other through various departments," said Mayor Larry Hartwig.

The Emergency Telephone System Board, which charges a fee to Addison residents on their telephone bills for services like 911, will fund the creation of this new system.

Officials say it will be ready in two or three years and will cost approximately $5 million to $7 million -- but they are unsure if the board also will pay for the new radios the system will require.

"This will probably eliminate mobile radio units in the squad cars and we will switch to just hand-helds, but (the funding) is still in question," said police Chief Bill Hayden.

Other municipalities may decide to upgrade their own systems, a measure that is being advocated by the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, but Hartwig said they must adopt their own resolutions.