COLDWATER, MI - Emergency officials in Branch County are ready to launch new 800 MHz county emergency radio system.

The system has been used the last three weeks by fire services in Branch County.

The new system will be activated at 8 a.m. on March 21st for police agencies. The current VHS radio system for police and fire ends at that date and time.

Branch County came in under budget on the project. The original bid award was $9.3 million. The project is set to finish in at $8.9 million.

According to the original bid, Branch County planned to borrow up to $9.6 million. In addition, county officials approved $540 for a direct link radio to Steuben County fire and police. The one-time purchase will allow direct communications between units from both states without relaying through central dispatch.

The local Indiana agencies involved will purchase the direct patch for their end of the connection.