City plans to use new radio system from News 9
City plans to use new radio system
Final testing has started on a new radio system that will link Oklahoma City police, fire and emergency services with utilities and public works and strengthen radio reception.
The system will allow emergency responders to communicate more effectively during disasters.
The $30 million radio system largely was paid for by a half-cent sales tax Oklahoma City voters approved in March 2000.
Kerry Wagnon, program manager for the Public Safety Capital Projects office, said a $24.5 million contract was signed with M/A-COM of Lowell, Mass., in January 2002 to provide the radio system. Wagnon said about $5.5 million of the cost came from other agencies such as the water department and Will Rogers World Airport.
The "trunked" radio system is designed to let police and fire departments communicate with others such as the water and street departments. Trunked radio system computers organize users into groups and decide what frequencies to use.
"The city has been operating with 35 independent frequencies," Wagnon said. "And the equipment is 20-plus years old."
The new system will allow officers from different departments to speak directly rather than through a central dispatch system.
Fire Maj. Brian Stanaland was dispatching when the May 3, 1999, tornadoes hit the Oklahoma City area, and he said the dispatch system was overwhelmed.
"We had hundreds of people calling to ask us to check on loved ones," Stanaland said. "If we can avoid talking with the communication center, we are usually better off."
Stanaland said tornadoes will be Oklahoma City's "large-scale event," and the new system will save time and lives.
Stanaland said communication with other departments is critical, especially in large-scale disasters.
"In those type of instances we need to be able to communicate, because we have to break down the disaster area geographically," Stanaland said.
"Even being able to talk to the street department would be an improvement. We need their help shutting off streets. Right now, we have to meet face-to-face," he said.
Twelve new radio towers, each with its own backup generators, will boost coverage to rural areas of the city and provide better reception inside buildings. Each tower can withstand 125-mph winds.
Police Sgt. Charles Phillips said buildings with thick walls such as hospitals, schools and many in downtown Oklahoma City have made radio communications difficult.
Phillips said officers also have had poor radio reception in routinely patrolled neighborhoods.
"It isn't a huge problem, but it's definitely an issue," Phillips said.
Wagnon said officials will start field-testing the radios Saturday and plan to start switching to the new system later this year.
Will there be any scanners that will pick up the new freqencies or not?
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