From today's Daily Oklahoman:
http://newsok.com/article/1907185/ (not sure how long the link will work, and registration is required but is free)
Grant to update emergency communications
By Tim Henley
The Oklahoman
EDMOND - Police officers, firefighters and other city workers will see improvements to Edmond's emergency radio communication system because of a large homeland security grant.
The upgrades also will improve communications with emergency departments across the state, Mike Magee, the city's emergency management director, said.
In April, the city council approved a memorandum of understanding with the state Homeland Security Department for $2.5 million to be used for the upgrades.
The city will work in a partnership with the state Public Safety Department and the state Homeland Security Department to expand the system into a Smartzone system.
Smartzone is a network that links Smartnet radio communication systems together making it easier for Edmond emergency workers to communicate with emergency workers from other cities.
Magee said city departments, including the police, fire and public works departments currently have a Smartnet 800 megahertz radio system.
Magee said if emergency workers from outside the city need assistance from Edmond, it will be easier to communicate with one another using the improved radio system prompting a faster response time.
He said Edmond emergency workers can currently communicate with workers from other cities, but it is more complicated and takes longer.
Magee said he didn't know when the city will receive the grant or when the communication system upgrades will begin.
http://newsok.com/article/1907185/ (not sure how long the link will work, and registration is required but is free)
Grant to update emergency communications
By Tim Henley
The Oklahoman
EDMOND - Police officers, firefighters and other city workers will see improvements to Edmond's emergency radio communication system because of a large homeland security grant.
The upgrades also will improve communications with emergency departments across the state, Mike Magee, the city's emergency management director, said.
In April, the city council approved a memorandum of understanding with the state Homeland Security Department for $2.5 million to be used for the upgrades.
The city will work in a partnership with the state Public Safety Department and the state Homeland Security Department to expand the system into a Smartzone system.
Smartzone is a network that links Smartnet radio communication systems together making it easier for Edmond emergency workers to communicate with emergency workers from other cities.
Magee said city departments, including the police, fire and public works departments currently have a Smartnet 800 megahertz radio system.
Magee said if emergency workers from outside the city need assistance from Edmond, it will be easier to communicate with one another using the improved radio system prompting a faster response time.
He said Edmond emergency workers can currently communicate with workers from other cities, but it is more complicated and takes longer.
Magee said he didn't know when the city will receive the grant or when the communication system upgrades will begin.