New Radios To Help First Responders In Rogers County Communicate Better

For the first time ever, all first responders in Rogers County and other surrounding agencies will be able to communicate with each other immediately.

This is thanks to a multi-million dollar project that includes 900 new radios and it was spearheaded by the Rogers County Sheriff's Office and Claremore Police. The sheriff’s office says most people think when an emergency is happening, like a manhunt or tornado, that all agencies can talk to each other. But, that wasn't the case, which made communication a nightmare, but, now, that has all changed.

The multi-million dollar project has taken more than five years to complete. Rogers County and the City of Claremore got funding for a 10-year lease agreement to buy the radio system and build a brand new radio tower. 

"As an effort to improve safety for citizens, law enforcement, and all first responders, historically it has been the biggest internal infrastructure move that we've made,” said Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton.

The country and city bought more than 400 hand-held radios and more than 400 radios for patrol cars. These radios have been given to every law enforcement, fire, and medical agency in the county.

"Literally a radio system is an officer or first responders lifeline when they are out there. We get to places where that don't have cell phone reception, and that radio,” said Walton.

Sheriff Walton says before this system, if Inola Police were out on a call, Rogers County deputies couldn't talk directly to their officers unless dispatchers connected them. Walton says this system helps put the people of Rogers County first.

"It is certainty, like this, that will save lives, and will improve the safety of Rogers County,” said Walton. "Nobody goes out and puts their hand, or can touch, and hold a radio system, but when it's all that matters, and lives are involved, it is very critical."

Sheriff Walton says much of the credit for getting the system up and running go to his Undersheriff, Jon Sappington. He also thanks Broken Arrow Police for helping train them on the new system.