GlacierClipper
Member
Attached is an Editorial from the Tulsa World concerning a Radio system.
News Editorial on Radio System in Oklahoma
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From The Oklahoman Editorial
Dead air
2004-06-23
Oklahoman Editorial
Emergency system awaits funding
Will it take another major disaster to complete a statewide system allowing emergency responders to communicate with each other? Another 9/11? Another 4/19?
State officials are trying to put together a system estimated to cost $80 million. That money would fund a network of communications links among emergency responders needed after the outbreak of a terrorist attack or grand-scale natural disaster.
Communications have been crippled in the past by the lack of such a system. It happened after the Murrah Building bombing, and "I can't say that we've actually improved since then," says Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks.
Ricks was running the Oklahoma City FBI office at the time of the bombing and later became state Homeland Security director. He's in a good position to know the necessity of communications links among emergency responders.
As reported Monday in The Oklahoman by Michael Baker, the state Office of Homeland Security has $16 million for the radio system -- a good start but far from enough to eliminate the kind of problems that occurred after the bombing, the 1999 tornado outbreak and other accidents and natural disasters.
Legislators don't necessarily oppose full funding for the system, but they haven't made it a priority. In a state with such long experience dealing with tragedy and acts of God, one would think it would be a higher priority.
In fact, we wonder why some of the 2003 federal bailout money wasn't used for this purpose. Uncle Sam pumped $117.3 million into the state because of the bailout. The funds were distributed to about 15 state agencies, with the lion's share going to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Given that the bailout was partially justified by the need to help states recover from an economic slump, partly due to the effects of 9/11, use of bailout money for the radio system would have made perfect sense.
Instead, state officials must continue to wait for the money to do what should have been done years ago.
Dead air
2004-06-23
Oklahoman Editorial
Emergency system awaits funding
Will it take another major disaster to complete a statewide system allowing emergency responders to communicate with each other? Another 9/11? Another 4/19?
State officials are trying to put together a system estimated to cost $80 million. That money would fund a network of communications links among emergency responders needed after the outbreak of a terrorist attack or grand-scale natural disaster.
Communications have been crippled in the past by the lack of such a system. It happened after the Murrah Building bombing, and "I can't say that we've actually improved since then," says Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks.
Ricks was running the Oklahoma City FBI office at the time of the bombing and later became state Homeland Security director. He's in a good position to know the necessity of communications links among emergency responders.
As reported Monday in The Oklahoman by Michael Baker, the state Office of Homeland Security has $16 million for the radio system -- a good start but far from enough to eliminate the kind of problems that occurred after the bombing, the 1999 tornado outbreak and other accidents and natural disasters.
Legislators don't necessarily oppose full funding for the system, but they haven't made it a priority. In a state with such long experience dealing with tragedy and acts of God, one would think it would be a higher priority.
In fact, we wonder why some of the 2003 federal bailout money wasn't used for this purpose. Uncle Sam pumped $117.3 million into the state because of the bailout. The funds were distributed to about 15 state agencies, with the lion's share going to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Given that the bailout was partially justified by the need to help states recover from an economic slump, partly due to the effects of 9/11, use of bailout money for the radio system would have made perfect sense.
Instead, state officials must continue to wait for the money to do what should have been done years ago.
N5TWB
Member
How is this for an answer????
I may be all wet here and anybody with more knowledge is certainly welcome to tell me but here is my opinion as an observer --
This is a problem that relates not only to money availability but also to having a true desire or vision to achieve interoperability. Case in point is OKC that is now installing an EDACS system that will be interoperable with no other municipality or state agency now on the air in the metro. This specific lack of interoperability cost two officers, one OKC and one OHP, their lives. A choice could have been made by OKC to use the already established OHP Motorola system but M/A-Com spoke some sweet nothings into some official's ear, IMNSHO.
Now, interoperability has been sacrificed on the altar of "absolutely unscannable, super-duper communications security" and will have no chance to be revived without massive cash infusions. Both the World and the Daily Disappointment have been totally off the mark in reporting on this facet of the story. :evil: :evil: :evil:
I may be all wet here and anybody with more knowledge is certainly welcome to tell me but here is my opinion as an observer --
This is a problem that relates not only to money availability but also to having a true desire or vision to achieve interoperability. Case in point is OKC that is now installing an EDACS system that will be interoperable with no other municipality or state agency now on the air in the metro. This specific lack of interoperability cost two officers, one OKC and one OHP, their lives. A choice could have been made by OKC to use the already established OHP Motorola system but M/A-Com spoke some sweet nothings into some official's ear, IMNSHO.
Now, interoperability has been sacrificed on the altar of "absolutely unscannable, super-duper communications security" and will have no chance to be revived without massive cash infusions. Both the World and the Daily Disappointment have been totally off the mark in reporting on this facet of the story. :evil: :evil: :evil:
blakem445
Member
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i don't understand why oklahoma city does that they are like that it was that way they don't put no thought to what they are doing they could like you said use the allready operational system and use the money they saved to hire and buy other things i think the system is a good one but we are back at problem one unable to communcate with other agencies was this not the whole purpose of getting rid of the other systems!! heard some people say other agencies are going to switch to this but with budget shortfall etc i don't see that happening
blakem445
blakem445
GlacierClipper
Member
A state lottery would help in the State of Oklahoma. The state officials bend over backwards for the gambling on the Indian Reservations. They should apply the same strength to passing a State Lottery. The lottery has helped many states in many ways.
In Tennessee, the lottery is less than 2 years old and is bringing in alot of money to the state. It helps fund the state insurance call TENN-Care!
Here in Oklahoma, one travels to another state to purchase a lottery ticket.
If one is going to support gambling in the state, why not support it for the entire state.
In Minnesota, the state lottery helps fund state insurance and the school districts.
Here is doesn't support either.
In Tennessee, the lottery is less than 2 years old and is bringing in alot of money to the state. It helps fund the state insurance call TENN-Care!
Here in Oklahoma, one travels to another state to purchase a lottery ticket.
If one is going to support gambling in the state, why not support it for the entire state.
In Minnesota, the state lottery helps fund state insurance and the school districts.
Here is doesn't support either.
Then they can join the SC educational lotto, and IL, LA, and others, MS doesn't have a Legal Lotto yet, but we do take portions of the money from the casinos.......
EDACS-Master
Member
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Someone got there wires crossed
the problem is that the current state-wide system has no interoperabilty features, the concept is that you must purchase Motorola radios to be able to talk onthe system. Now as far as OKC, they are putting in a system that is designed towards interoperability. The M/A-COM system has the capability to communicate with any type of radio and freq. via conventional interfacing and on the fly patching...
the problem is that the current state-wide system has no interoperabilty features, the concept is that you must purchase Motorola radios to be able to talk onthe system. Now as far as OKC, they are putting in a system that is designed towards interoperability. The M/A-COM system has the capability to communicate with any type of radio and freq. via conventional interfacing and on the fly patching...
n5bew1
Member
I believe a state vote for a lottery is scheduled for this Novembers election. The money if passed would go for public education.
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Re: Someone got there wires crossed
...and a Motorola system can't do that? Please...you've got to have a better argument than that. Motorola systems can do the same thing.
I can think of several other features you could have brought up that EDACS has over Motorola, but that was not one of them and isn't one of them.
Additionally, what are OKC's plans to build out the system for state-wide coverage to allow state-wide interoperability?
EDACS-Master said:
...and a Motorola system can't do that? Please...you've got to have a better argument than that. Motorola systems can do the same thing.
I can think of several other features you could have brought up that EDACS has over Motorola, but that was not one of them and isn't one of them.
Additionally, what are OKC's plans to build out the system for state-wide coverage to allow state-wide interoperability?
EDACS-Master
Member
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re:
Just take a look at the state system or the Tulsa system, the do not do any conventional interfacing of any kind, i.e. they do not utilize there 800 system and C.I. into a VHF or UHF or any other freq. radios to help solve interop problems. Then look at a EDACS network utilizing C.I. and they have the ability to communicate with other agencies that come to assist them that are not dirtectly on there network. Don't you think with that ability, this helps the cause as far as interop. goes. Also with the implementation of there VOIP solution, you can communicate with other M/A-Com networks over states not just cities.
Just take a look at the state system or the Tulsa system, the do not do any conventional interfacing of any kind, i.e. they do not utilize there 800 system and C.I. into a VHF or UHF or any other freq. radios to help solve interop problems. Then look at a EDACS network utilizing C.I. and they have the ability to communicate with other agencies that come to assist them that are not dirtectly on there network. Don't you think with that ability, this helps the cause as far as interop. goes. Also with the implementation of there VOIP solution, you can communicate with other M/A-Com networks over states not just cities.
n5bew1
Member
Norman's Motorola trunking system allows the Fire Chief to patch in other
FD frequencies ie VHF freqs of surrounding areas. Little Ax FD I feel is still on VHF and they have a permanent talkgroup that is patched in somehow.
Ken
FD frequencies ie VHF freqs of surrounding areas. Little Ax FD I feel is still on VHF and they have a permanent talkgroup that is patched in somehow.
Ken
Linkage with patches can be done with any trunked system.... As to the staement that EDACS can do yadda yadda over states,,,, Motorola systems can also do this.... and Motorola is the only system that is P-25 compliant,... and something tells me all this will soon come to haunt MACOM in the comming years. I can forsee an almost nationwide Motorola combined mega smartzone in the next few years. Concievably you could have a Officer in say OK, talk directly via a special TG to an Officer say in SC about a suspect, or vital mutual aid calls done multistate. Yeah I know that I will get flack for this one, but its a very real prospect.
Your wish is my command. I grant thee ... Nextel.
BLAHHHH Nextel,.. I am referring to a PS system... as far as the prospect goes... consider it under construction... SC, GA, AR, AL, LA, NC, OK, MS considering it , and TN considering it...... HMMMMMM Sure looks like a mega smartzone growing to me.
Sure looks like a mega smartzone growing to me.
lol. I know, thats why I said Nextel!
peterjmag
Member
:x
ohhh no the dreaded Nex Hell, I mean Nextell....the nightmare for us 800 scanner users...
ohhh no the dreaded Nex Hell, I mean Nextell....the nightmare for us 800 scanner users...
LOL as far as I am concerned I put Nexthell in the same hate category as I put a skunk that decides to run right in front of your vehicle as your doing say 40 MPH with no room to avoid.. IT JUST STINKS! LOL
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Re: re:
There's none listed - but does that mean that there isn't any there? That is very much doubtful - in fact - look at Norman's system and note that there is a talk group patched permanently to a VHF channel. Look at Oklahoma County SO's page and notice that there is a permanent patch to a talk group on the OK smartzone system. I also noticed that there was a post a while back about VHF pathed into a civil defense/em talk group on the OK smartzone. Conventional can be brought into Motorola just the same as conventional is brought into EDACS. That feature of EDACS doesn't make EDACS a superior system. You're the EDACS master - you shoud know what features Motorola doesn't have that EDACS does!
As far as connecting other M/A-COM systems, that's great - I can talk to an FBI agent in Florida from South Dakota. A lot of good he will do me! You can interconnect M/A-COM systems, but once they leave their home coverage area, the interconnection is a moot point.
EDACS-Master said:
There's none listed - but does that mean that there isn't any there? That is very much doubtful - in fact - look at Norman's system and note that there is a talk group patched permanently to a VHF channel. Look at Oklahoma County SO's page and notice that there is a permanent patch to a talk group on the OK smartzone system. I also noticed that there was a post a while back about VHF pathed into a civil defense/em talk group on the OK smartzone. Conventional can be brought into Motorola just the same as conventional is brought into EDACS. That feature of EDACS doesn't make EDACS a superior system. You're the EDACS master - you shoud know what features Motorola doesn't have that EDACS does!
As far as connecting other M/A-COM systems, that's great - I can talk to an FBI agent in Florida from South Dakota. A lot of good he will do me! You can interconnect M/A-COM systems, but once they leave their home coverage area, the interconnection is a moot point.
GlacierClipper
Member
The DoD (Department of Defense) has been using the interconnect methods for alot of its LMR trunked (land mobile radio).
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