Wisconsin looks to improve emergency communications network

Wisconsin officials are working to determine how to improve the statewide emergency communications network and who will pay for it.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports the Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communications allows public safety agencies to communicate with one another across the state, and sometimes coverage can be spotty. The state hired a consultant last year to examine networks in surrounding states and provide recommendations for maintaining Wisconsin’s system.

The system went live on 80 state-owned towers in 2012 and has grown to include nearly 120 sites. Each Wisconsin county or community that provided the infrastructure for a network site pays for tower maintenance.

Josh Ripp, a program manager for the network at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, says similar networks are supported by state funding. He says Illinois requires those on its system to pay a monthly user fee.