Refugio County Going Digital

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225Texas

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Source: http://www.refugiocountypress.net/story61.shtml

County incorporates new communications system


By KENDA NELSON

Editor, County Press

The Refugio Sheriff’s Department this week announced a new digital communications system was incorporated. The state-of-the-art system allows law enforcement officers and emergency crews to talk on portable radios across the county, which was unheard of before the system.
Sheriff Earl Petropoulos said the system “brings Refugio County communications into the 21st century.”
The equipment transmits signals, both by voice and data; however, the department’s communications center at the Refugio County Jail will continue to dispatch in both analog and digital formats until all emergency crews have the proper radios. The only down side for residents is that all but digital scanners will be rendered useless when the system is fully incorporated.
“This provides the best possible manner of communications at a taxpayer savings of literally tens of thousands of dollars over the complicated and old style of 800 trunking systems used in other jurisdictions,” Petropoulos said.
The $200,000 system was a result of a grant made through the office of emergency management in 2004 by Jerry Turner, former emergency management coordinator. In April 2005, the grant was approved by the Coastal Bend Council of Governments.
“This communications grant was designed to bring Refugio County Sheriff’s Office up to what is called Level 4 operability,” Petropoulos said. “What this means is that the dispatcher and units alike can communicate with other agencies in the event there is a disaster in our county. In this situation, state emergency agencies come in to our county to assist, and we will be able to communicate with them.”
Equipment purchased includes new radios for county patrol units and portable radios for the deputies as well as new equipment in the communications department including head sets.
“We were able to replace radios in all of the volunteer departments including new portable radios for the firefighters,” the sheriff said. “Texas Department of Public Safety already had the new digital radios.”
The new digital system is on a new narrow band frequency which provides better range for operating and crystal-clear reception. The digital feature provides for both voice and data operation. In addition, officers who key their radios will immediately be identified on the dispatcher’s screen, even before they have had a chance to speak.
“At this point, we are still utilizing the old radio channel and the new digital channel together until one or more agency is able to provide the necessary radios for their vehicles,” the sheriff added.
Refugio County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center provides dispatch services to county deputies, DPS troopers, Refugio and Woodsboro police officers, EMS and fire departments, as well as federal agencies.
 

rattlerbb01

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Nice post. Usually the newspaper reporters kinda bungle the facts on radio system news due to lack of knowledge. This one almost seems to be a member of the radio community.
 

225Texas

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It's scanner land over in Refugio County. With all the human trafficking, drugs, and, ATL's, etc... They appreciate all the help they can get!
 
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