LT. GOV. WYMAN ANNOUNCES $400,000 FOR TOLLAND COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE SERVICE ON STATE BOND COMMISSION AGENDA

(HARTFORD, CT) - Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman today announced that the State Bond Commission, chaired by Governor Dannel P. Malloy, is expected to support a $400,000 bond item for the Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service to upgrade their radio dispatch system.

"This is great news for the residents and first responders of Tolland County, and further demonstrates Governor Malloy's strong, ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness," said Lt. Governor Wyman. "I've been a vocal advocate for this system. It is critical that small towns have access to the technology infrastructure that will keep residents and first responders informed-and as safe as possible-during an emergency."

"Whether it's a fire, a stranded motorist, a hurricane, blizzard, or other emergency, reliable radio communications are a vital link to emergency responders providing an appropriate and timely response," said Governor Malloy. "This funding for the Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service will provide more dependable, modernized communications for our first responder community."

Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service provides 911 answering, dispatch, and coordination services for 23 F ire and EMS services within 15 towns-Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, East Windsor, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, and Willington. The current radio console is over a decade old.

"This is an important modernization for Tolland County Mutual Aid , and we thank Governor Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Wyman, and the State Bond Commission for their support and commitment to emergency services," said Executive Director Tyler Millix. "This upgrade will help us protect residents, maintain communications with the various emergency service organizations, and provide interoperability with our dispatch partners in Eastern Connecticut ."

The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on the funding at their Friday, July 25, 2014 meeting which will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building.