Things should be coming in louder and clearer for county ambulance services as soon as a new microwave communication system for Mercer County 911 is installed.

"We've been notorious for having the worst communication in 20 years," James R. Thompson, county director of Public Safety, told Mercer County Commissioners Thursday morning. He explained that microwave technology will enable the 911 center to use multiple channels at the same time and will make additional channels available.

"It's a form of radio that works like a telephone to provide you with a constant open channel," Thompson said. "Direct EMS communication virtually does not exist here. We have no single means to talk to all the ambulances in the county. We relay information through dispatchers."

Commissioners voted Thursday to buy the system from Cattron Communications Inc., Sharpsville, for $388,543, including a five-year maintenance fee.

"That means they will provide time and material on a 24/7 basis if we need it," Thompson said, adding that the fee also includes a set of spare parts.

A bid from Connectivity Communications Inc. of Cranberry Township, Butler County, came in at $480,911, including the maintenance contract.

"Cattron also included over $20,000 more of spare parts than the other bid," Thompson said.

Thompson said almost 90 percent of the system will be paid for with a $360,000 grant from the state Department of Health. He explained the state was aware of how important it was for Mercer County to improve its Emergency Medical Services communications. "It's the largest grant the (state) department of health has ever issued in this capacity," Thompson said.

"We are ahead of the game moving to microwave communication," said Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman.

Installation of the five towers should begin before winter. "I hope we're up and running before the end of December, but weather is going to be a factor," he said.