Myrtle Beach, SC, January 28, 2026
Horry County has secured crucial funding to upgrade its emergency communication systems, enhancing public safety and interagency coordination. This $523,740 investment, supported by Congressman Russell Fry’s office, aims to improve response times and establish seamless communication among agencies in the coastal region, ensuring a secured environment for residents and businesses alike.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What is Horry County doing to improve emergency services?
Horry County is significantly upgrading its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)-to-CAD and broader interagency communications systems to enhance public safety and streamline coordination. This initiative ensures essential services evolve to meet new demands, reinforcing a stable environment for residents and businesses.
How much funding did Horry County receive for this project, and what is its source?
Horry County secured $523,740 in Community Project Funding, an effort supported by U.S. Congressman Russell Fry’s office, from the Commerce Justice Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This federal partnership leverages external resources to address local public safety needs.
What specific technologies are being implemented in the communications upgrade?
The upgrade involves enhancing CAD-to-CAD interoperability to allow seamless data sharing between different agencies’ dispatch systems. Additionally, it will facilitate the use of new encrypted P25 technology radios, designed for secure and reliable public safety communications with mission-critical voice and data capabilities.
Which other agencies and regions will benefit from Horry County’s communication enhancements?
Benefit extends to public safety partners within the South Carolina Coastal Area Cooperative, including Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston counties, the City of Goose Creek, and the Town of Summerville. Connecting these CAD systems will improve regional interoperability and crisis intervention efforts.
What are the key benefits of these new emergency communication systems?
These systems will achieve quicker reaction times to emergencies, enhance crisis intervention efforts, and improve information sharing and situational awareness during critical moments. They contribute to a more efficient and resilient public safety infrastructure, which fosters community confidence and supports economic growth.
Horry County Secures Key Funding for Emergency Communications
A significant investment will bolster critical infrastructure, enhancing public safety and streamlining interagency coordination across the region.
Myrtle Beach, SC – In a testament to proactive governance and a commitment to public welfare, Horry County is poised to make a substantial leap forward in its emergency response capabilities. The county recently secured crucial funding to upgrade its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)-to-CAD and broader interagency communications systems. This development highlights an ongoing effort to ensure that as our community grows, our essential services evolve to meet new demands, reinforcing the stable environment necessary for Myrtle Beach SC business and residents to thrive.
The initiative underscores a focus on operational efficiency and collaborative public safety, themes that resonate with the spirit of individual achievement and effective resource management. By embracing advanced technology, Horry County is not just reacting to challenges but actively shaping a more secure and responsive future for its citizens and the burgeoning economy of the Grand Strand.
The Vital Role of Modern Emergency Communications
In today’s interconnected world, the speed and accuracy of emergency response are paramount. Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems form the backbone of modern emergency services, enabling dispatchers to manage calls and deploy first responders with precision. The upgrade to CAD-to-CAD interoperability signifies a move beyond isolated systems, allowing different agencies to share critical incident data seamlessly. This enhanced communication is fundamental for coordinating responses during complex emergencies that often transcend jurisdictional lines.
Efficient emergency communication directly contributes to community confidence and provides a secure foundation for economic activity. Businesses, from small local enterprises to larger ventures, depend on a reliable public safety network to protect their assets, employees, and customers. Improvements in this vital infrastructure exemplify how targeted investments in core government functions can indirectly foster a more resilient environment for South Carolina entrepreneurs and the broader regional economy.
Horry County’s Proactive Approach and Federal Partnership
Horry County has demonstrated a proactive stance in seeking out and securing resources to enhance its public safety infrastructure. The county proudly announced it was awarded funding to further advance connectivity between its computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems and those of first responder agencies across the coastal region. This initiative is designed to improve information sharing and situational awareness during critical moments.
The funding, totaling $523,740, was secured through Community Project Funding, an effort supported by U.S. Congressman Russell Fry’s office. This federal partnership is a key component in leveraging external resources to address local needs, ensuring that Horry County remains at the forefront of emergency communication advancements in South Carolina. The funds are part of the Commerce Justice Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
Enhancing Connectivity Across Coastal Partners
A significant aspect of this upgrade is its focus on enhancing emergency communications among coastal partners, specifically connecting CAD systems across multiple counties. This interoperability is crucial for the South Carolina Coastal Area Cooperative, which includes public safety partners in Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston counties, the City of Goose Creek, and the Town of Summerville. By connecting these systems, first responders can achieve quicker reaction times to emergencies and enhance crisis intervention efforts.
The project, formally known as the Horry County Emergency Communications Enhancements Project, will also facilitate the use of new radios that support encrypted, P25 technology. P25 radios are designed specifically for public safety communications, offering mission-critical voice, data, and robust encryption to ensure secure and reliable communication among agencies. This technology enables seamless communication across different agencies and jurisdictions, improving coordination during joint responses and safeguarding sensitive information. The flexibility of P25 to handle both voice and data, as well as its interoperability with equipment from various manufacturers, ensures a future-ready network adaptability. Furthermore, P25 systems are built for reliability in challenging environments and support critical safety features like “man-down” alerts and location tracking.
A Step Towards Greater Efficiency and Resilience
The benefits of this CAD-to-CAD and interagency communications upgrade extend beyond immediate response times. They contribute to a more efficient and resilient public safety infrastructure, a critical element for sustained Horry County economic growth. Streamlined dispatching, improved coordination, and enhanced communication workflows are among the advantages of modern CAD systems. These systems reduce human error, enhance reporting, and optimize future decision-making, ultimately increasing the safety of field responders.
Such advancements in public safety provide a stable environment for local communities and businesses, including Myrtle Beach small business owners, fostering confidence and encouraging investment. When citizens and entrepreneurs know that their community is prepared for emergencies, it creates a more attractive setting for living, working, and growing.
Key Features of the Horry County Communications Upgrade
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Amount | $523,740 | Local |
| System Type | CAD-to-CAD and Interagency Communications | Local |
| Project Name | Horry County Emergency Communications Enhancements Project | Local |
| Radio Technology | Encrypted, P25 | Local |
| Primary Goal | Enhance emergency communications among coastal partners, connect CAD systems across multiple counties, improve response times, and interagency coordination. | Regional |
| Funding Source | Community Project Funding (Federal) | Federal |
| Recipient | Horry County government | Local |
| Affected Agencies | Horry County and public safety partners on the coast: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston counties, the City of Goose Creek and Town of Summerville (South Carolina Coastal Area Cooperative) | Regional |
Investing in Our Future
This significant federal funding for Horry County’s emergency communications systems is more than just a technological upgrade; it is an investment in the safety and future prosperity of the entire region. By fostering improved interoperability and leveraging advanced tools like P25 encrypted radios, Horry County is setting a standard for public safety innovation. The long-term benefits of quicker response times, enhanced information sharing, and seamless coordination across agencies will create a more secure foundation for our communities.
As Horry County continues its path of growth and development, such strategic investments in vital infrastructure are essential. We encourage all residents and businesses to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing efforts to strengthen our local community and economy. Supporting initiatives that prioritize efficiency and collaboration ultimately benefits everyone who calls Myrtle Beach and Horry County home.
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
