04/22/2026
Greetings residents of Blackstone,
We hope this message finds you well. The intent of this communication is not to criticize or diminish the current radio system utilized by the Blackstone Public Safety departments, but rather to provide clarity and awareness for those who may not have had the opportunity to follow recent board meetings regarding the articles being presented at the upcoming Town Meeting.
As many are aware, one of the most significant items on the warrant Article 35 proposes a comprehensive upgrade/overhaul to the Town’s public safety radio system. We are seeking your understanding and support for this critical investment. It is reasonable to ask: What is being proposed? Why is it necessary? And why does it come with such a substantial cost?
Article 35 calls for a full modernization of the radio infrastructure used by Fire/EMS, Police, and the Department of Public Works. At its core, this project is about improving communication reliability, interoperability, and responder safety across all emergency services in Blackstone.
The Town’s current system operates on a single site, VHF repeated radio system. While this system has served the community for many years, it is now outdated and increasingly unreliable. Users frequently experience coverage gaps, signal interference, and inconsistent transmission clarity. In critical situations, this presents a serious concern. When emergency personnel transmit urgent messages particularly calls for assistance there is no guarantee that those transmissions will be clearly received by dispatch or other responding units.
Additionally, the limitations of a single tower system become evident during multi agency responses, which occur regularly. Firefighters and police officers often operate simultaneously at the same incidents. Because all users share the same infrastructure, simultaneous radio transmissions can interfere with one another, resulting in garbled or unintelligible communications. This type of interference can delay response coordination and, more importantly, compromise safety.
The proposed solution transitions the Town from a single site system to a three site simulcast radio network. By establishing multiple transmission sites strategically located throughout Blackstone, the system will create overlapping coverage areas effectively forming a “triangle” of coverage. This design significantly enhances signal strength, improves clarity, and ensures more reliable communication across all areas of Town, including previously challenging locations.
Another critical component of this proposal involves upgrading portable radios. Currently, the Fire Department primarily operates with single band (VHF-only) portable radios. While functional within our existing system, these radios limit our ability to communicate with neighboring mutual aid departments. Many of our closest partners including Woonsocket, North Smithfield, and Bellingham operate on different frequency bands such as UHF or 700/800 MHz systems.
Mutual aid is a cornerstone of modern emergency response. The inability to communicate directly with assisting or requesting agencies creates inefficiencies and can hinder coordinated operations. At present, the department has only two tri band portable radios capable of operating across multiple frequency bands, and these are assigned to the on duty crew (keep in mind the duty crew is three). Expanding access to tri band radios would allow seamless communication with mutual aid partners, enhancing both operational effectiveness and responder safety.
The proposed tri-band radios, while more expensive, are designed specifically for public safety use. They are rugged, reliable, and rated to withstand extreme conditions, including high heat environments encountered during fire suppression operations. This level of durability and functionality is essential for the demanding conditions our personnel face.
We fully recognize that this is a significant financial investment for the Town. However, it is important to understand that delaying this project will only increase costs over time. In fact, similar upgrades were evaluated years ago at a substantially lower cost. As technology evolves and infrastructure continues to age, the expense of maintaining outdated systems and eventually replacing them will continue to rise. We also are at risk with operating one tower site, although not likely however if something were to happen to that site, like in the event of a natural disaster, it is likely that we would lose all radio communications.
Ultimately, this proposal is about ensuring that the men and women who serve this community have the tools they need to communicate effectively and safely. Reliable communication is not a luxury in public safety it is a necessity.
We respectfully ask for your consideration and support of Article 35 at Town Meeting. This investment will strengthen our emergency response capabilities, improve interoperability with our regional partners, and enhance the safety of both our responders and the residents we serve.
If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message and we would be happy to provide further information.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
-Blackstone Professional Firefighters Local 4139
