Clearwater approves $1.3M order for Motorola dispatch consoles to enhance interoperability

The Clearwater City Council has approved a significant investment in public safety communications, greenlighting a purchase order for $1,303,879 to Motorola Solutions, Inc. This decision will provide the city with 12 Command Central AXS dispatch consoles and a NICE logging interface, complete with a two-year warranty. The move aims to enhance interoperability between Clearwater's public safety personnel and the broader Pinellas County system.

City Manager Dan Slaughter highlighted the historical context of Clearwater's radio system, which has evolved over three decades but faced interoperability challenges due to differing manufacturers. Currently, Clearwater operates on a system from L3 Harris, while Pinellas County utilizes Motorola. Slaughter emphasized that the transition to Motorola's system is not only timely but also cost-effective, potentially saving the city around $231,000 annually in maintenance costs.

The new consoles will be strategically placed, with nine in the communications center and three in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This upgrade is expected to streamline operations, allowing Clearwater's police and fire departments to communicate more effectively with their counterparts across the county. Slaughter noted that the transition would also alleviate the need for costly upgrades to the existing L3 Harris system, which could have exceeded $1.8 million.

While the switch promises financial benefits, there are considerations for non-public safety personnel who will remain on the current system. The city anticipates additional costs of $50,000 to $75,000 annually for maintaining communication for these staff members.

Overall, the council's decision marks a pivotal step toward modernizing Clearwater's public safety infrastructure, ensuring that first responders can operate efficiently and effectively in collaboration with county services.