[Scan-DC] District Leads Nation in First Responder Wireless Communication

[Alan Henney]

Did anybody hear the Mayor Tuesday afternoon talking on an XTS3000?

News Release for Immediate Release
October 7, 2003
District Leads Nation in First Responder Wireless Communication

(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today announced the completion of
a significant upgrade in the District's public safety wireless communication
system. The new network gives the District one of the most complete systems
of public safety radio coverage in the nation, with expanded wireless radio
coverage across the city and a new capacity to communicate among emergency
agencies.

"We have a responsibility to our first responders to keep them safe," said
Mayor Williams. "These officers are willing to risk their lives to save
others-we owe it to them to provide them with the best equipment possible."

Reliability and interoperability were the focal points of improvement for
the new system. Prior to the upgrade, the District had many areas of
unreliable coverage for public safety radios. In addition, Police and Fire
and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel could not directly communicate
with one another, signaling a dangerous vulnerability during emergency
situations.

"This is another example of using and leveraging technology to improve
service delivery not only to first responders but also to the citizens of
the District of Columbia," said Suzanne Peck, the District's chief
technology officer. "By setting and meeting the highest standards, we enable
our first responders to rely confidently on radio communication as they work
to save lives and property."

The communications systems were designed to address the need for extensive
communications coverage throughout the District and inside major buildings.
Six new communications sites were constructed, bringing the city's total to
10. The new network also incorporates vehicle repeaters to enhance coverage
where needed.

The District's upgrade of its 800 MHz and 460 MHz radio systems will provide
a seamless communication network between Police and Fire and EMS and will
reduce risk to public safety officers from communications failures. The two
systems will be connected through a Motorola switch to provide
interoperability.

"Motorola was proud to assist in the development of our communications
solution to meet the coverage and interoperability needs of the District's
public safety agencies," said Motorola's Bob Wartmann.  "The cooperation
among the agencies made it possible to implement this system in 10 months,
about half the time normally required. The system's comprehensive coverage
and its interoperability will serve as a model for other public safety
agencies."

Warmann continued, "The District made sure that we adhered to one of the
toughest wireless standards in the nation.  The coverage requirements
specified by the District were among the most stringent specifications
Motorola has designed and implemented to date."

According to Peck, careful planning and a reliance on District personnel for
substantial portions of the project work allowed the wireless upgrade to
come in on time and within budget parameters. "I'm extremely proud of what
the project team has done to complete this upgrade," said Peck. "It shows
that a city workforce can effectively manage and build very substantial
infrastructure improvements."

The project qualified for federal emergency preparedness funding because of
the District's significant new national and regional responsibilities. The
District has been designated the Regional Information Coordination Center
(RICC) in order to ensure that all 17 regional jurisdictions communicate
easily and effectively as they respond to emergencies. Congress appropriated
a total of $46.5 million for emergency information technology initiatives
for the District.



News Advisory for Immediate Release


      October 6, 2003

      Mayor to Announce Public Safety Wireless System Upgrade
      (Washington, DC) District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams will
announce the completion of a significant upgrade in the District's public
safety radio communication system on Tuesday, October 7, at 1:30 pm. There
will also be a demonstration of the system. The new network gives the
      District one of the most complete public safety radio coverages in the
nation, with expanded wireless radio coverage across the city and a new
capacity to communicate among emergency agencies.
        Who Anthony A. Williams, Mayor of the District of Columbia
            Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
            Kathy Patterson, Councilmember, Chair-Committee on the Judiciary
            Vincent Orange, Councilmember, Chair-Committee on Government
            Margret Kellems, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
            Charles Ramsey, Chief, Metropolitan Police Department
            Adrian Thompson, Chief, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
            Suzanne Peck, Chief Technology Officer
            Raymond Sneed, President of the DC Firefighters Association
            Bob Wartmann, Motorola (system vendor)
            First responders who will demonstrate the system

            What Announcement and Demonstration of the District's New Public
Safety Wireless Communication System

            When October 7, 2003 at 1:30 pm

            Where Mayor's Press Room
            John A. Wilson Building
            1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
            Washington, DC