- Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Media Contact
Christopher Smith, Director of Legislative and External Affairs
Deerfield — On Friday, the Franklin County Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) held an event at the South Deerfield Fire District Station to formally announce Franklin County’s transition to the modernized Commonwealth of Massachusetts Interoperable Radio System (CoMIRS), a statewide radio network that provides mission-critical communications to hundreds of state, local and regional public safety organizations throughout Massachusetts across disciplines and operational jurisdictions. FRCOG was joined at the event by the Secretary of EOTSS, the USDA Rural Development Director, as well as members of the federal and state legislative delegations, local officials, and other Healey-Driscoll Administration executive officials.
As part of a multi-year partnership between EOTSS, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and the State 911 Department, Franklin County transitioned off an end-of-life regional radio system to CoMIRS and will be among the first to fully utilize the modernized CoMIRS digital system currently being deployed. The CoMIRS upgrade represents a $135 million modernization effort to the state’s public safety radio system. The project was further supported by a $450,000 USDA grant for firefighter pager equipment, secured by the federal delegation.
“This is one of the most important projects the FRCOG has been involved with in our history, yet it is largely unseen and unknown,” said FRCOG Executive Director Linda Dunlavy. “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). The transition involved support from the FRCOG Council, Select Boards, first responders, and state and federal legislators and agencies. We owe thanks to Steve Kulik, current state and federal legislators, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) and Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Massachusetts State Police Radio Division, the USDA, and FRCOG staff who worked diligently to equip all local police, fire, and EMS departments. It's hard to cut a ribbon of a wireless communication system, but we are happy to celebrate this critical project.”
“We are fortunate to have had such a strong partner in the Franklin Regional Council of Governments,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary and Commonwealth Chief Information Officer Jason Snyder. “We are actively building out the existing CoMIRS network to a more resilient, interoperable digital system for use throughout the Commonwealth, and Franklin County’s outstanding partnership has been instrumental in achieving the vision of this transformative project. It is promising to see the real-life impact this has already made on public safety in Franklin County.”
“The migration of the Franklin County Public Safety agencies from their end-of-life system to the modern CoMIRS statewide system reflects a commitment to strong partnership and will benefit the emergency responders who use this vital system as part of their daily mission to protect the community and deliver life-saving services,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.
“The Massachusetts State Police remains committed to delivering the highest quality police services to communities across the state, said Massachusetts State Police Colonel John E. Mawn. “Interoperability tools like CoMIRS provide peace of mind that our equipment will communicate seamlessly with our partners in any emergency. I commend the leaders in Franklin County and state government who made this implementation successful.”
“By leveraging the statewide CoMIRS system, the Franklin County agencies have enhanced their interoperability capabilities with more than 200 state and local public safety agencies and dispatch centers across Massachusetts. As the system continues to expand through the addition of other public safety agencies, interoperability capabilities will enhance and strengthen public safety collaboration statewide, “ said Massachusetts Statewide Interoperability Coordinator Richard Fiske.
“We understand that effective and efficient communications are critical to public safety and investments like these offer a crucial tool that supports the safety and security of families and businesses throughout Franklin County,” said USDA Rural Development Director Scott Soares. “Like any police officer, fire fighter or first responder will tell you – it takes a team to get the job done - and that is exactly what we’re doing here. Local, State and Federal partners came together to recognize and act on improving the safety and wellbeing of their communities. I am especially proud that USDA could be your partner in addressing the critical needs of our rural first responders and the communities we serve.”
“We know that seconds count in any medical or fire emergency, and that is doubly true when it comes to our Commonwealth’s most rural county. That is why when the alarm was sounded on Franklin County’s aging public safety radio system, I was glad to join with Congressman McGovern and Senator Warren to step up and answer the call with $450,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending,” said US Senator Ed Markey. “This technological investment in vital public safety infrastructure means better, more reliable communication and faster emergency response times to serve the community.”
“I’m proud to have helped secure a major portion of the funding necessary to purchase the equipment for Franklin County’s transition to the Commonwealth's new digital radio system,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “This announcement is the result of years of hard work by so many people, and I’m grateful to the strong partnerships that made this possible. Wireless interoperability is vital for our first responders, ensuring they have the seamless, reliable communications tools they need to keep us safe in an emergency. This achievement means faster response times and enhanced coordination—but it also underscores our commitment to supporting the brave men and women who work so hard to protect us every day.”
"It is imperative that first responders have the ability to communicate quickly and effectively, especially in the event of an emergency," said State Senator Jo Comerford. "I am deeply grateful to EOTSS and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments for recognizing the challenges of communicating in rural regions and for their diligent and painstaking work to migrate the Franklin County emergency communications network onto the state's CoMIRS system. Our region is safer because of their efforts."
“When Franklin County was facing a failing public safety communication system, we were able to overcome technological and fiscal hurdles through collaboration with our partners at FRCOG, EOTSS, EOPSS, our federal and state legislative delegation and the USDA, said Deerfield Police Chief John Paciorek. “This transition will ensure rapid response for the public, and safety and coordination for those responding in Franklin County. We are grateful to now have this modern equipment and system which will last for years to come and bring the highest level of public safety communication to the region.”
In partnership with EOPSS, MSP, and the State 911 Department, EOTSS selected a vendor in 2021 to replace the Commonwealth’s legacy system with a Project 25 (P-25) standards-based interoperable digital system that will offer improved reliability, enhanced security, and significantly improved coverage. Critical accomplishments to date include migrating over sixty public safety agencies in Franklin County to the CoMIRS system and replacing obsolete radio equipment for over 1200 public safety officials throughout the county. In addition, a $17.5M investment was made through the EOTSS Radio Upgrade and Replacement Grant Program to replace or refresh over 10,000 portable and mobile radios needed to operate on the new system. This multi-year project is planned to be completed statewide by the end of calendar year 2026. In total statewide by the project completion, the CoMIRS project will deploy modern, digital communications infrastructure in support of the critical lifesaving operations of over 245 first responder agencies, including the MSP and 911 call centers across the Commonwealth.
As the state’s lead technology and cybersecurity secretariat, EOTSS is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the Administration’s information technology activities and ensuring that all executive department agencies adhere to its published standards, policies, and procedures. This enterprise approach provides a single, comprehensive framework and ensures that the state is in alignment on all technology needs, including data privacy, cybersecurity risk management, and digital accessibility and equity.
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
State Representative Aaron Saunders
Interoperability of our communications systems is essential to our public safety, and especially to the unique needs of our rural communities. I am deeply grateful to FRCOG and the Healey administration for implementing CoMIRS which will benefit all the residents of Franklin County
State Representative Natalie Blais
Addressing Franklin County’s outdated emergency communications system has been a priority since hearing directly from public safety officials that their safety and the safety of our shared constituents was at risk. The move to the CoMIRS system remedied this very serious public safety issue and I am sincerely grateful to the local, state and federal partners who made this ambitious project possible.
State Representative Susannah Whipps
As a rural representative whose towns rely on a great deal of mutual aid, I see this as a tremendous tool for our public safety personnel as well as our citizens. I’m grateful to see this project funded.
###
Media Contact
