The Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received some good news recently. Director Judy Toombs announced Tuesday that the department was awarded a $139,000 grant from the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Emergency Telecommunications Board (CMRS).

The grant will be used to help Logan County's ECC upgrade its 911 emergency system.

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security awarded $1,449,548 worth of grants to 15 communities and agencies across the commonwealth to help with upgrades.

Toombs, who wrote the grant proposal, said she was proud and very excited Logan County was selected. Logan County received the fifth largest amount awarded with North Pennyrile E911 receiving the largest of $435,912 and Allen County receiving the lowest amount of $17,547.

Magistrates unanimously accepted the grant and agreed to abide by the regulations surrounding it.

All 911 emergency systems will have to become digital by 2011. Logan County's ECC currently operates on an analog system. It is going to be a very costly upgrade, said Toombs. This recent grant will help but the total upgrade will cost much more.

“The system is old and the equipment is out of date. We are going to have to upgrade if we want to continue the quality of emergency service the county is used to,” said Toombs.