SAUGUS — The federal delegation has secured $1 million for public-safety communication enhancements, which will improve the town’s first-responder communication infrastructure and provide a reliable connection with local and regional emergency response agencies, Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree announced on Wednesday.
To receive the funding, the offices of the U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren submitted a Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) federal-funding request.
“I have been fighting hard alongside our Massachusetts delegation to bring in federal funding for the commonwealth, and I’m glad we secured $1 million for the Town of Saugus,” said Warren in a statement. “This funding is a big win that will help enhance the town’s emergency-communications infrastructure and public safety for town residents.”
Saugus is among 120 state projects that were awarded funding by CDS and included in the bipartisan omnibus federal-spending bill signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden on Friday, March 11.
“State-of-the-art emergency communications infrastructure that’s utilized in times of emergency by the town’s first responders and the Department of Public Works is essential,” said Markey in a statement. “By replacing their system, this federal investment in the Saugus community will provide more reliable emergency services for the years to come.”
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said that this investment represents a significant public-safety opportunity that will provide an invaluable asset, not only to the Saugus community, but also the whole North Shore region.
With this funding, Saugus is planning to carry out critical upgrades and replacement of the town’s older communications system and infrastructure. This investment will ensure reliability and town-wide coverage for the portable and mobile radios and expand the town-owned fiber network, which will provide a reliable connection with local and regional emergency-response agencies, Crabtree said.
“This has been a priority for Saugus and these funds will allow Saugus to continue to move forward with these much-needed upgrades for public safety,” said Crabtree in a statement. “This appropriation will have tremendous benefits for Saugus residents by securing state-of-the-art public safety capabilities and better protecting lives and property throughout town.”
“Upgrading our emergency-communication infrastructure will greatly enhance the public works response to floods, snowstorms, infrastructure emergencies and so on,” said state Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere) in a statement.
The overall cost of these improvements to public-safety communications infrastructure is expected to be approximately $2 million. The federal funds secured by Markey and Warren will help the town to build on more than $500,000 already allocated in the town’s budget, including $50,000 earmarked by the state delegation to pay for the new communications system in the fiscal year 2018.
“I am constantly looking out for the best interests of Saugus residents and believe that this project will greatly improve our first responders’ ability to better serve the residents of Saugus with a new robust and reliable emergency-communication infrastructure,” said state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) in a statement.
State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said that reliable and efficient communication during an emergency can be the difference between life and death.
“We must continue to make investments like this that put our police officers in the best position to serve the community,” said Crighton in a statement.
Each fiscal year, senators may request CDS funding for projects in their state that showcase ample local community support and frequently fulfill a distinct local need; however, only a small number of proposals supported by senators get awarded.
