Local and state partners are celebrating the transition to a new statewide radio network that will allow for faster emergency responses and enhanced coordination.

The upgraded Commonwealth of Massachusetts Interoperable Radio System (CoMIRS) is the result of a lengthy collaboration between the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and state and federal offices, all of which had representatives at the South Deerfield Fire District on Friday for an opportunity to learn more about the technology.

“One of the things that’s really exciting about this is the radios that were delivered allow for a progression to the digital communications, when it’s ready,” said Jason Snyder, secretary of the state Executive Office of Technology Services and Security. “So we’re building for the future here, and that’s exactly what you want to do. It’s the right design, it’s what’s right for Franklin County and it’s right across the entire system.”

CoMIRS is the state’s primary voice radio system, serving hundreds of local, county and state public safety agencies and scores of other organizations. This includes 60 agencies in Franklin County.

A $3 million grant from the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security was used to pay for the public safety radios and their installation. In addition, FRCOG received $450,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture to buy firefighter pagers that would be compatible with CoMIRS, as the former equipment was not.

“This will serve 71,000 Franklin County residents,” said Scott Soares, the USDA’s Rural Development director for Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

As part of a multi-year partnership between the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Massachusetts State Police and the State 911 Department, Franklin County transitioned off its end-of-life regional radio system to CoMIRS and will be among the first to fully use the modernized CoMIRS digital system, according to FRCOG. Snyder said the statewide rollout is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

“This is one of the most important projects the FRCOG has been involved with in our history, yet it is largely unseen and unknown,” FRCOG Executive Director Linda Dunlavy said in a statement. “This vital project safeguards every first responder and citizen in the county by transitioning our failing public safety communication system to the robust, digital Commonwealth of Massachusetts Interoperable Radio System (CoMIRS). ... It’s hard to cut a ribbon of a wireless communication system, but we are happy to celebrate this critical project.”

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said the modernized CoMIRS is a prime example of teamwork and collaboration for the greater good.

“They say it takes a village, and it does,” he said.

Deerfield Police Chief John Paciorek Jr. elicited laughter when he recalled hearing officials talk about buying replacement radio parts on eBay years ago. He said he is unsure local residents understand the magnitude of this development, which he said is unprecedented.

“This is unheard of,” he said. “It’s just not done.”

He also said his department works hand in hand with State Police every day and “it only made sense for us to be fully interoperable.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.