[Scan-DC] NCR Cache radios

[Alan Henney]

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REGIONAL EXERCISE DEMONSTRATES COMPATIBILITY
OF PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEMS
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As part of National Preparedness Month, first responders from across
the National Capital Region (NCR) conducted an exercise this past week
to test the compatibility of their radio systems. Local, state and
federal first responders – including the MPDC, the DC Fire and
Emergency Medical Services Department and the DC Emergency Management
Agency – participated in the regional exercise, held at the Nannie J.
Lee Recreation Center in Alexandria. Other exercise participants
included firefighters, police officers and others from the city of
Alexandria; Arlington County; Fairfax County; Frederick County;
Loudoun County; Montgomery County; Prince George’s County; Prince
William County; Maryland State Police; Maryland Department of
Transportation; Virginia State Police; Virginia Department of
Transportation; the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives. The exercise tested the NCR’s Tactical Interoperability
Communications Plan. This plan, which is mandated by the US Department
of Homeland Security, describes the operational policies for how first
responders across the NCR communicate with one another by radio during
a terrorist strike or natural disaster. The exercise followed the
fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. More than $34 million in
federal Homeland Security grants under the Urban Area Security
Initiative have helped to further develop the region’s interoperable
communications systems since 9/11.

FOOTNOTE I: This week, public, private sector and nonprofit officials
from across the National Capital Region adopted a strategic plan for
regional homeland security. The plan will direct regional disaster
planning and preparations for the next three to five years. Details
at:

http://www.mwcog.org/news/press/detail.asp?NEWS_ID=223

FOOTNOTE II: During Preparedness Month, DC residents are encouraged to
stay informed by signing up for the Alert DC program. Learn more at:
http://alert.dc.gov/eic/site/default.asp

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