Orange County Distributes Interoperable Radios to Local Emergency Responders

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MidHudsonNews.com

Orange County police and EMS services were apportioned with interoperable radios Thursday, allowing for communication across agencies previously segregated by frequency. At the Emergency Services Center in Goshen, 60 communications radios funded with $257,000 in Homeland Security money, were distributed.

http://www.midhudson...os-21Sep12.html

Press release from the county executive:

Edward A. Diana

Orange County Executive

Orange County Distributes Interoperable Radios to Local Emergency Responders

Police and EMS to better communicate county-wide

(Goshen, N.Y.) – Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and Emergency Services Commissioner Walter C. Koury today ceremoniously distributed interoperable radios to Chief Ramon Bethencourt, Jr. of the City of Middletown Police and to Rebecca Stage Chairperson of the Orange County EMS Council at the County’s Emergency Services Center in Goshen as part of its interoperability project to improve radio communications among County public safety agencies and the Orange County E-911 Dispatch Center.

“Orange County is in the process of modernizing our critical emergency communications system in order to better serve the public whom we protect,” said County Executive Diana. “We began with our tower project, and now these radios will help responders while we work on developing a longer term solution for the future.”

Through U.S. Homeland Security funding, the County has purchased twenty-six (26) APX7000 Digital Portable Dual band 7/800 MHz/VHF radios at a cost of $4,500 each and thirty-four (34) UHF/VHF radios as a cost of $4,400 each, which will be assigned to daily operational use by identified agencies.

Sheriff Carl E. DuBois said, “Emergency Services nationwide historically have struggled with a common platform of communication. The events of 9/11 revealed major limitations in systems supporting emergency communications between public safety agencies during a crisis. Emergency responders, especially our volunteers, will greatly benefit from this technology that will expedite response, mutual aid/multi-agency operations, critical care, and situation resolution.”

Each Police agency will receive at a minimum of two (2) portable radios to provide at least one fully charged radio per shift in order to allow for an on scene point to point interoperable communications solution. Each EMS agency will receive one, except for those agencies that provide either Medic services or large volume calls, in which case they will receive two (2). Each portable will be programmed to meet the County’s interoperable plan and each agency will be provided and trained in the County Communications Protocol.

Walter C. Koury said, “Communications is a key component for our police, fire and EMS agencies to operate safely and effectively. These radios will fill but a small gap in their interagency, interdisciplinary communications.”

The initial phase of the interoperability project has increased coverage in the eastern and western portions of the County by adding fire, police and EMS service frequencies to existing tower sites, however, the current infrastructure does not support 7/800/VHF and VHF/UHF interoperability between emergency agencies.

Chief Bethencourt said, “The City of Middletown Police Department, like many departments throughout the county, is very pleased with the fact that great efforts are being taken by Orange County to develop a communications plan that not only better serve the needs of our communities in times of emergency, but also provides a safer environment for our emergency services personnel.”

These radios will provide some immediate relief between Police agencies that use VHF radio frequencies and have no means of radio communications with police agencies that operate on the 800 MHz, as well as those EMS providers that use VHF and have no means of communications with responding fire departments that operate on the UHF frequency.

Rebecca Stage said, "Communications between fire and EMS are essential to providing timely emergency medical services when every second counts. The Orange County EMS Council congratulates Orange County for being on the front lines in providing this service to our county's EMS and fire partners."

Memorandums of agreements have been developed for the distribution of the radios for both police and EMS. Each portable will be programmed consistent with the County communication plan and National frequencies:

This interoperable radio capability for Police agencies, which use VHF high radio frequencies and have no means of radio communications with police agencies that operate on the 800 MHz, will improve on scene communications by providing the immediate exchange of radio communications between responding units from various police agencies that could otherwise not be able to communicate without the assistance of time delay relay of communications through dispatch centers.

On scene, this interoperable radio capability will improve the immediate exchange of communication by radio when immediate information is needed to identify what personnel and specialized resources are needed on an emergency scene. This operating environment will ensure the effectiveness of response capabilities to mitigate potential damage to life and property that could occur from the inability to properly communicate.

The following town and village police departments will receive two (2) interoperable 7/800 VHF portables, and the following city police departments will each receive three (3): Village of Goshen/Town of Goshen/Town of Chester/Town of Deerpark/Town of Warwick/ Village of Greenwood Lake/Village of Florida/Village of Washingtonville/Town of Tuxedo/ /Town of Crawford/ and the Cities of Middletown and Port Jervis.

For EMS, this interoperable radio capability on scene benefits all EMS agencies on a day to day basis by providing the UHF band that their Fire partners use on a scene of any emergency. They will now have immediate and effective on scene communication with our Fire agency partners utilizing the UHF (Fire) band. This will provide a time saving measure when communication between the Fire Department Incident Commander and the incident EMS liaison is needed for better coordination at a scene.

The following EMS agencies that operate in Orange County will receive a portable or portables that will have the interoperable capability of both VHF / UHF for contact when operating at a scene with Fire when being Incident Commander.

Agencies receiving one (1) will be Chester, Cornwall, Florida, Goshen, Greenville, Greenwood Lake, Lenape, Montgomery, Pine Bush, Pine Island, Town of Highlands, Town of Newburgh, Tuxedo and Warwick. Agencies receiving two (2) will be Blooming Grove, Kiryas Joel, Monroe, New Windsor, Port Jervis, and the Town of Wallkill.

The Deputy Commissioner of EMS and all Deputy and Deputy District Coordinators will receive one (1) for an additional total of eight (8).

Interoperability is the ability for key public safety personnel to communicate with one another in real time, over different communication systems. Interoperability creates voice and data links that support effective tactical incident and strategic emergency management activities. Interoperability assures a continuity of operations and government functions during emergencies and catastrophic events.

A good step forward.

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The STATE of New Hampshire did this. I am issued a 256 channel Motorola portable that allows me to talk to any dispatch center in the state. Also has PD and all the federal talk around channels for large scale emergencies.

Fire apparatus and ambulances have similar radios.

Only ones not included are two cities that went to 800 trunked systems. Gateway frequencies for them are provided however.

The first three banks are customizable, the rest are set by the state. Updates are done every couple of years as needed.