Frustration is growing among municipal officials as they try to prepare for the province's new emergency communications system that will come on-line next year.

The new system will replace handheld radio devices used on the aging FleetNet emergency network with digital technology including GPS and advanced radio encryption.

ouraging municipalities to purchase this new model.

Ralph Groening, president for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, says members are not happy about this latest development.

er the decision had been made by many communities to purchase radios. We justifiably feel frustrated, irritated and considerably displeased with the process that was used. So now we (AMM) are attempting to negotiate through this challenge and find some answers."

Groening adds the purchase arrangement was flawed and that Motorola's new deadline of 2025 for servicing the radios is unacceptable as a final solution.

A statement from Bell confirmed Motorola has informed customers that it is discontinuing sales of a radio model that some Manitoba public safety organizations have purchased for use on the new Public Safety Communications Service, indicating the radios will still be supported through 2025.

"This has raised some concerns regarding the life cycle of the equipment, and we are working with Motorola, the province and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to address," adds the statement.