New trunked radio system in Ozaukee County's future

[izz]

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Ozaukee County Finance Committee has recommended installing a new countywide radio system for local law enforcement through a $4 million bond issue, replacing the current radio system installed in 1991.

The new system would have the capability to include a wireless emergency 911 system that would allow police dispatchers to pinpoint the location of 911 calls made on mobile phones.

Officials hope to fund the wireless system with grant money and have it up and running by 2006.

The bad news is the Ozaukee County Radio System User Committee and Technology Resource Committee hint the new radio system will be Open Sky.

 

[SCPD]

You would think they would wait to see if Milwaukee PD can get their system up and running. We all know the problems that some agencies are having with open sky. Granted Ozaukee county is small they may not have a problem which would suck big time.

 

[izz]

This is from the Radio System User Committee minutes December 19, 2003.

The City of Milwaukee is very interested in interoperability with Ozaukee County. The City of Milwaukee has gone to a new radio system, Open Sky EDACS through MACOM. Currently they are in phase one, data only. Phase two will bring the public safety onto the system. Phase three fire/EMS onto the system. In phase four the DPW and other services will be brought onto the system. Kenosha County is looking at the same system. There may be a time, when an Ozaukee County deputy can drive to Chicago and be in constant communication with his dispatch.

This is from the Technology Resource committee minutes August 4, 2004.

Radio technician Duane W. explained his request for participation in a COPS grant for Interoperable Communications Technology with the City of Milwaukee. The grant will be used to infrastructure such as an EDACS IP Gateway to be used with the soon to be released '3 mode radios'. These radios will allow Ozaukee units and City units to "roam" into each other's areas and use the individual systems coverage areas

We will know more after the Radio System User Committee meets in a week or two.

 

[izz]

I have good news to report.

At the meeting Radio Tech Duane W. said the Technology Resources committee approved the replacement of the radio system backbone. Consultants will be brought in to assess the system and outline a step by step replacement plan over a six year period. 30 base stations and 80 GE trunking shelves are scheduled for replacement. We will be staying with the EDACS system as opposed to moving to Open Sky due to the problems with voice over IP. Our system may end up with a couple of Open Sky channels for data.

Also the Milwaukee PD and Ozaukee Sheriff have entered into a COPS grant for an interoperability link between the two agencies.

 

[bill_n]

I have good news to report.

We will be staying with the EDACS system as opposed to moving to Open Sky due to the problems with voice over IP. Our system may end up with a couple of Open Sky channels for data.

Many thanks for the info. I just wish Milwaukee would dump this Open Sky idea.

bill n