Local Leaders Celebrate Launch of New 800MHz Digital Radio System
December 1, 2009
System Brings Improved Interoperability Among Agencies - Today, City, County and other local leaders came together to celebrate the launch of a new 800MHz digital radio system in our community. The new system will provide greater coverage and greater security, protecting confidential and sensitive patient, victim and/or juvenile information frequently relayed by public safety agencies during emergency situations. The new system also greatly enhances the ability of agencies to communicate with each other during emergency situations.
The old analog radio system had reached the end of it useful life. Additionally, while each agency's system was reliable, coverage was incomplete, and the radio frequencies were not secure.
The new system moves all local public safety agencies, as well as many public services departments, onto one communication system. Two new radio towers have been erected, one in Tom Brown Park and one in Myers Park, to improve coverage. Before, public safety frequencies could be monitored by anyone, including criminals. The new digital frequencies are encrypted to provide better confidentiality for victims, patients and/or juveniles during emergency situations.
The new 800MHz digital radio system provides all area public safety and service agencies and departments a level of interoperability our community has never had before. Making this needed radio communications upgrade is one step toward the City and County's goal of a joint public safety dispatch center. This system will be the "brains" of that endeavor, now providing the infrastructure for seamless communications.
The total cost of the project was projected to be $19.6 million dollars. City and County staff worked together, lessening the cost for each entity. Additionally, by aligning the upgrade with a needed rebanding of frequencies, as required by the Federal Communication Commission, nearly $2 million dollars was shaved off the projected cost of the project and paid for by grants.
While City and County agencies are the primary stakeholders in this upgrade, the new system will also benefit Florida A&M University, Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College. Bringing all our public safety agencies onto one system will ensure the best communications possible, which is needed to provide the best protection for all our citizens.
Contact
Jon D. Brown, Leon County Public Information Officer, 850-606-5300; or M. Michelle Bono, Assistant to the City Manager, 850-891-8200
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