North Dakota continues to build out a new communication system for first responders.
It’s called SIRN (siren) – for State Interoperable Radio Network. It will allow those agencies to talk to one another. Previously, agencies had their own radio systems.
But there have been some delays in rolling it out.
"We continue to make progress in rolling that network out," North Dakota Chief Technology Officer Duane Schell told the Legislature's interim Information Technology Committee. "The project is behind schedule, and that's all about supply chain issues."
The SIRN system is up and running in five metro areas — Williston, Grand Forks, Minot, Bismarck and Mandan.
Mike Smith is the emergency management director for Williams County and the City of Williston. He said the SIRN project is “working great.”
"Our agencies have nothing but good things to say about it," Smith said. "We have communications in places in our county that were, in the past, very scarce. And now, for the most part, radio communications with first responders are great."
Smith said it helps first responders keep everybody safe.
The SIRN project is expected to be completed statewide by 2025.
