Barrington wins grant for narrowband radios

Barrington has received a $20,651 grant through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force to buy narrowband emergency radio equipment, the use of which will be a federal requirement in 2013. The village’s own cost will be only the $350 installation.

Village Manager Jeff Lawler said the use of narrowband radio has been a long-term federal goal, since it greatly increases the number of available channels during an emergency. The issue most prominently came to light during the response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in which communications suffered due to the limited number of radio channels at that time.

Village President Karen Darch said Barrington has been thorough in seeking out and applying for grants to help fund such federal mandates.