(From the City of Joplin)The Joplin Emergency Communications Center (Joplin 911) and Jasper County Emergency Services (JASCO) are celebrating a significant accomplishment in interoperability communications with the completion of a new radio tower that will strengthen the existing countywide public safety system and improve communication between public safety agencies throughout Jasper County.
The new Belle Center Communications Tower, located at Belle Center and Black Cat Roads in northwest Joplin, will be the location of a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, Oct. 29. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Speakers from JASCO and the City of Joplin will discuss the journey to the construction of the tower and how it will improve communication and interoperability between police, fire, ambulance services, and 911 dispatchers countywide.
“The partnership between the City of Joplin and JASCO and the subsequent construction of this tower means that citizens of Joplin and all Jasper County residents will be better served in terms of public safety,” said Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards. “It is a win for all of us to see this collaboration reach such an important milestone.”
The Belle Center tower is the fifth communications tower added to the countywide public safety radio system, and the first project completed through a partnership between JASCO and the City of Joplin. The other four towers are located in Carthage, Sarcoxie, north Highway 43, and the JASCO 911 center on I-49.
The countywide radio system represents a long-term investment in public safety communications throughout Jasper County. Funding from the voter-approved Jasper County 911 Sales Tax has supported the development of the radio network, including the construction of communications towers and the equipment needed to connect emergency responders. The Belle Center tower is the latest addition to that network, helping improve coverage and strengthen communications between agencies.
“The voters of Jasper County made this project possible when they approved funding for a countywide public safety radio system,” said Alvin Peavler, Chairman of the Jasper County Emergency Services Board of Directors. “This tower is another important step in building a reliable communications network for our first responders. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and appreciate the partnership with the City of Joplin in making this project a reality.”
The new 400-foot tower expands the existing countywide public safety radio system, improving coverage and interoperability between participating agencies. The tower is part of the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN) and will support communication between local, state, and federal agencies during disasters or major events. The State of Missouri will also have communications equipment located at the Belle Center tower to support regional and statewide communications.
“This tower is another important piece of our countywide radio system,” said Brandon McClintock, Executive Director of JASCO. “It’s about bringing Joplin and Jasper County agencies together and making sure our first responders can communicate when it matters most. Having access to regional and statewide communications through MOSWIN is a huge benefit, especially when we’re dealing with major emergencies.”
This is a critical step forward when considering public emergencies like a tornado, which might require assistance from public safety units in multiple cities and counties. The only requirement is that the agency must have a P25 (Project 25) digital radio that is properly programmed and authorized to communicate on the system. P25 is a national standard for public safety radio communications that allows compatible radio systems to work together, helping responders from different agencies communicate during emergencies.
The $767,390 tower was constructed on land owned by the City of Joplin and was funded through the Jasper County 911 Sales Tax, which voters approved in 2021. That approval increased the tax from one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) to support 911 infrastructure, a countywide public safety radio system, and emergency dispatch services. Crews finished constructing the tower in March and spent the summer installing communications hardware. Area law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel recently began testing the system, and will complete final testing in late November.
The project was completed through a partnership between JASCO, the City of Joplin, and TUSA, which has provided consulting and technical expertise throughout the project.
JASCO and Joplin 911 serve as the two primary 911 communications centers for Jasper County, handling emergency calls and coordinating responses for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
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