Whatever happened to the new radio system Kern County approved budgeting for back in 2023? Any news? The old thread discussing it is locked, and there's been no recent discussions.
Kern County new Public Safety System status?
- Thread starter Progline
- Start date
I did hear that it's still in the works but Fire will stay on VHF and will receive funding to be able to rebuild / refresh it.
Eng74
Member
I know they were going to have to build a lot of sites to cover the county. We can assume that is in work right now. The last I heard it would be up and running in 2031(?). My understanding is everyone will be moving to it. That is why Bakersfield city council had to approve their part before the County did. Even if KCFD does go to the P25 system, they will still need VHF radios for interop with USFS, BLM, and CalFire.
The system is still on track for 2030/2031. They didn't need to approve a budget because they've been saving money for the last 15 years for this radio system. So they already have the money.
What they don't have the money for is full encryption. And from what I'm told that's what's currently going on behind the scenes they're gonna try to come up with extra money for that or they're gonna scrap full encryption. KCSO isn't bothered by no full encryption from what I hear, BPD on the other hand wants it bad and I would almost bet money they are going to be fully encrypted. However they just got a new chief so we'll see.
What they don't have the money for is full encryption. And from what I'm told that's what's currently going on behind the scenes they're gonna try to come up with extra money for that or they're gonna scrap full encryption. KCSO isn't bothered by no full encryption from what I hear, BPD on the other hand wants it bad and I would almost bet money they are going to be fully encrypted. However they just got a new chief so we'll see.
Eng74
Member
Looked around the net trying to find any updated info and found this. Not sure if it is right but I am going to make up a favorites list and see if I can find anything.
I'm a retired KCSO dispatcher and I was on the radio committee before I retired. Since the new system will be digital it's going to take close to triple the number of repeater sites to cover the county. Many of these new sights have to be built from scratch as nothing is at these locations. It's a slow process to build the sight, install a tower and get power run to it. Also many of the existing sites are needing new towers to be installed and buildings to be upgraded. It's a slow process. Last I heard they were looking at late next year for completion.
Eng74
Member
I was with KCFD when the switch from UHF to VHF happened and one of my BC’s was part of the radio committee back in the early 2000’s. I still remember having to go to Canyon Red when leaving or going to the lake. Once we went to VHF that ended. I remember the BC left 71 early that morning to be at ECC for the switch over and said going to canyon Red for the last time. There is a new fake tree tower next to station 81, formerly 77, not sure if it is part of the new system or not.
That fake tree is probably a cell site tower. They try to conceal them sometimes.
I can understand needing more sites to cover it on UHF than VHF, but isn't Sheriff already on an analog UHF system? Or does fire have to cover more territory than Sheriff? Or maybe the requirements changed, like maybe providing portable coverage instead of just mobile?
Eng74
Member
The county and Bakersfield are going to a P25 system. Our VHF and UHF systems cover the county really good but the systems are past end of life and parts are no longer available. The county radio guys do a great job bur the parts are even drying up on eBay.
I hope that they donot go encrypt, aleast have my fingers crossed
Knowing California Law enforcement will be partial or full not sure about fire though but with the amount of wildland incidents they get and the need for interoperability they probably will be like San Bernardino County
Eng74
Member
We do have a lot of interagency responses with USFS, BLM, and also LACoFD. I could see them keeping the Kern 2 to 5 and their V Tacs.
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