OKWIN Fed $$$ reduced

[N5TWB]

Oklahoma getting less federal funding for terrorism prevention | Tulsa World

Key paragraph:

In 2011 the state is expected to receive $5.1 million in funding related to homeland security. Next year, that amount could drop to $2.5 million based on 2012 projections, Carter said.

Closing paragraphs:

Meanwhile, the 800 megahertz system provides a seamless frequency that connects first-responders along the I-44 corridor. The system brings additional, emergency coverage for 70 percent of the state's population from Lawton to Vinita, said Lacey Callahan, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.

Known as the Oklahoma Wireless Information Network, the radio channel allows emergency workers to respond faster and to communicate with other jurisdictions during a multi-jurisdiction response.

Installing and maintaining the 800 meghertz system has cost about $61.7 million, Callahan said.

Unless they have squirreled away and rat-holed some funding through careful budgeting or multi-year grants, it's tough to see how the P25 project moves forward at this level of fed funding. It seems a well-established fact that the state doesn't have the funds.

 

[Motoflightmedic]

$5 says the OKWIN never actually goes statewide. and we are less interoperable now than before the 800 system. at least out in the rural parts of the state.

 

[plaws]

$5 says the OKWIN never actually goes statewide. and we are less interoperable now than before the 800 system. at least out in the rural parts of the state.

Define statewide. Without Free Federal Money, I don't see sites being built where there are few people, i.e. the Panhandle.

OTOH, the system is probably pretty close to covering 80% of the population.

As for interoperability, that's a management thing, not a tech thing. If your local government can't interoperate with agencies on OKWIN, then beat the heads of both sides together until they do.

 

[Motoflightmedic]

I agree on the Tech thing vs the management thing. There are too many department heads that dont want anyone else talking on their channel. big deal, who cares if someone from another department talks on someone else's channel.

the other things that kinda tic me off about the statewide system are, most of the talkgroups are locked down to a local area. they sell this as a system with state wide coverage then you find out only the statewide mutual aid talk groups are. i guess the fact that is not state wide yet is a good thing. I have had several users on this system mention this.

I do disagree with you on the "it covers 80% of the population" comment. Just because people live outside of the metro areas dosent mean we should be not have the same level of service from our tax dollars. to me that sounds like you are saying " you are good enough pay you taxes but you are not in a place to get anything for it" but i would not trade that for the hassles that comes with living in the cities.

I just wish there was a better way to implement this type of system. it just seems like we have to many salespeople misinforming the decision makers. its like telling a customer that is needing to narrow band their radios that they need to buy xts5000's or something.

 

[Drkatzjr45]

Oklahoma getting less federal funding for terrorism prevention | Tulsa World

Key paragraph:

In 2011 the state is expected to receive $5.1 million in funding related to homeland security. Next year, that amount could drop to $2.5 million based on 2012 projections, Carter said.

Closing paragraphs:

Meanwhile, the 800 megahertz system provides a seamless frequency that connects first-responders along the I-44 corridor. The system brings additional, emergency coverage for 70 percent of the state's population from Lawton to Vinita, said Lacey Callahan, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.

Known as the Oklahoma Wireless Information Network, the radio channel allows emergency workers to respond faster and to communicate with other jurisdictions during a multi-jurisdiction response.

Installing and maintaining the 800 meghertz system has cost about $61.7 million, Callahan said.

Unless they have squirreled away and rat-holed some funding through careful budgeting or multi-year grants, it's tough to see how the P25 project moves forward at this level of fed funding. It seems a well-established fact that the state doesn't have the funds.

Google: OMB Control Number 306.0-1080


In this document, the City of Tulsa has requested an extention waiver for completion of rebanding
until Dec 12, 2012

 

[plaws]

Google: OMB Control Number 306.0-1080


In this document, the City of Tulsa has requested an extention waiver for completion of rebanding
until Dec 12, 2012

You keep posting this. Lots of agencies have requested rebanding waivers; why would Tulsa be any different?


Likewise, many have applied for waivers on the narrow-banding deadline (which is not the same thing and doesn't apply to 800 MHz).

 

[iamhere300]

the other things that kinda tic me off about the statewide system are, most of the talkgroups are locked down to a local area. they sell this as a system with state wide coverage then you find out only the statewide mutual aid talk groups are. i guess the fact that is not state wide yet is a good thing. I have had several users on this system mention this.

That is simply a matter of resources. If every agency had full statewide coverage, ie, say there was a department called "oakhurst Fire", and one labor day weekend three of their people went out of the area, but carried their portables.

One to Vinita, one to Henrietta, and one to Lawton.

You now have a tremendous amount of resources in use to tie them all into their talkgroup, insofar as RF talkpaths. If you times that by the number of agencies on the system on a labor day, you are going to have massive congestion in some areas.

And what NEED does Oakhurst fire have to have such coverage? Are they going to respond from those places? (Ok guys, don't touch this) I think not. Or at least they should not. Being able to monitor that far away is simply a whacker function. Get a RR feed and use your phone.

I do disagree with you on the "it covers 80% of the population" comment. Just because people live outside of the metro areas dosent mean we should be not have the same level of service from our tax dollars. to me that sounds like you are saying " you are good enough pay you taxes but you are not in a place to get anything for it" but i would not trade that for the hassles that comes with living in the cities.

The 80% figure is what it is. I am sure they would love to have better coverage, but if the funding is not their they have to do it one step at a time. It is simply a matter of fact that one tower will cover more people in Oklahoma county than it will in Beaver County. Economics say put it where it will cover the most people.

I just wish there was a better way to implement this type of system. it just seems like we have to many salespeople misinforming the decision makers. its like telling a customer that is needing to narrow band their radios that they need to buy xts5000's or something.

What? Salespeople who lie? Never!

 

[Motoflightmedic]

What? Salespeople who lie? Never!

LOL, i have never met an honest one yet.