MOUNT VERNON — During the Knox County 9-1-1 Board meeting Wednesday, members discussed the future of communications in the county and how the board can help emergency agencies in the county fund some of the new technology which will be purchased in the next few years.

The College Township Fire Department’s request for funding for 10 new pagers spurred discussion about how much the board will be able to assist fire departments with purchases of communications equipment as new federal mandates require equipment to be replaced with more modern technology.

Matt Sturgeon, Knox County deputy EMA/9-1-1 director, told the board the federal government will require the use of newer narrow band radio equipment by 2013. Such equipment is not currently used by Knox County fire departments, and the cost of the equipment is expected to be high.