This Funding Will Upgrade the Existing Public Safety Communications System to an Interoperable Radio System for Local Law Enforcement & First Responders

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden yesterday signed into law U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger’s legislation that will provide $1,000,000 to upgrade the existing public safety communications system in Amelia County.

The major funding for Amelia County — which Spanberger successfully secured as part of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate-passed fiscal year (FY) 2023 end-of-year government funding package — will be used to upgrade the existing radio system to an interoperable radio system to create an all-in-one interface. This investment would allow the county to purchase a 700 MHz P25 Phase 2 (TDMA) Simulcast Radio System detailed design, radio system equipment, connectivity equipment, and dispatch equipment.

The major deficiencies of the current radio systems — which are no longer capable of meeting the public safety demands of a large-scale emergency — inhibit law enforcement and first responders from operating at full capacity and diminish their efficiency in response to calls.

“Due to the age of the existing public safety radio system utilized by Amelia County’s agencies, the Amelia County Board of Supervisors initiated a radio system needs assessment in 2021. This needs assessment drove the creation of technical specifications for an updated public safety radio system,” said David M. Felts, Chair, Amelia County Board of Supervisors. “After a rigorous competitive selection process, the Board has selected a vendor to supply the updated public safety radio system. This new radio system will provide Amelia County’s public safety agencies with needed improvements in communications leading to greater safety for our staff, as well as the public. The Board of Supervisors is committed to supporting the safety of our staff and the citizens and visitors of Amelia County and appreciates the efforts of Representative Spanberger’s Office to find the necessary funding.”

“When public safety equipment reaches the end of its usable life, it poses a danger to all those who depend on it to work,” said Spanberger. “This $1 million investment will allow local police officers, other law enforcement officers, and all first responders to communicate across all areas of the county to better keep themselves and residents safe. I was proud to work directly with local leaders to advocate for the unique needs of Amelia County. I want to thank the county officials who helped secure this funding and commend their commitment to keeping their community safe.”

BACKGROUND

For FY2023, the U.S. House of Representatives allowed Members of Congress to submit Community Project Funding requests — as it did in FY2022. This allowed for specific, community-driven requests — like upgrading the public safety communication system in Amelia County. Spanberger worked directly with community leaders in all 10 counties of the Seventh District to gather community-focused requests for her submissions. Click here for the full list of her submissions.

The Community Project Funding process was created to ensure that Members of Congress, in concert with the communities they represent, may submit direct applications for federal funding to support locally planned projects as part of the yearly appropriations process.

To be eligible, projects must be sponsored by local or state government entities or non-profit organizations and must be projects that would otherwise meet the qualifications to apply for federal grant funding. The purpose of Community Project Funding is to ensure direct, local engagement as part of the federal appropriations process. In line with this goal, funding applications needed to demonstrate significant local support for the projects.

Earlier this year, President Biden signed into law funding for 10 Virginia projects that Spanberger successfully secured as part of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate-passed FY2022 appropriations bill.

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