Public Safety Communications Equipment Upgrade

The Town of North Smithfield is requesting funding for maintenance of the historic Mowry Communications Tower.

The Mowry Tower repair and maintenance are crucial to emergency communication throughout Rhode Island. The Mowry Tower’s communication functionality provides emergency response providers and government officials communications in event of natural and man-made disasters.  The Mowry antennae structure supports the Rhode Island State Communications System (RISCON) radio system that provides public safety live audio communications hosting live audio broadcasts of police, fire, EMS, railroad, and aircraft communications.  The tower holds heavily relied-upon antennae and repeaters.  Atop the tower is an equipment cabin that has fallen in disrepair.  The 65-foot Mowry Tower is in the National Historic Lookout Register and is one of three remaining forest fire towers in Rhode Island.