[Scan-DC] Spotsylvania Seeks new Radio System

[Kenneth Fowler]

Spotsylvania seeks radio improvements

October 11, 2011 12:15 am



BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

A cop carries a gun; a firefighter has an air mask.

But often, their lives and others are saved by another tool: the radio.

The devices strapped on their shoulders or hips allow first responders
to call for backup, alert others to a dangerous situation and cry for
help.

But only if the signal goes through.

In Spotsylvania County, the emergency radio system doesn't always work
the way it should. Some of the equipment is outdated.

And radios don't work in many areas of the county. Emergency personnel
have complained that they can't use the radios inside parts of
Spotsylvania Towne Centre and in buildings in some rural areas of the
county.

For nearly a year, Spotsylvania officials have worked to improve the
situation, and they are now one step closer.

The county officials recently announced their intention to use AECOM
Technical Services as a consultant looking into the communications
system. The Los Angeles-based company will analyze the county's needs
and advise them on changes.

In 1999, the county installed a $4.3 million 800 mhz public radio
system. Officials then hailed the system as "cutting edge" and "state
of the art."

The high-frequency system was to be shared by county employees in fire
and rescue, the Sheriff's Office, utilities, school buses and public
works.

The county also added a second radio tower to improve reception across
the the 404 square miles of Spotsylvania.

The updated equipment and the new tower were supposed to eliminate
dead zones. But it took years to get the tower built in the Wilderness
area.

And less than a year after the new radio system was installed,
emergency responders complained about it to the Board of Supervisors.

Norman Brooks, a volunteer fire and rescue chief, said he could not
call for help when burning debris fell on him while he was responding
to a house fire.

Brooks wasn't injured in the incident, but it sparked other complaints
about the radios.

Sheriff Howard Smith said that the radios often didn't work inside
buildings. Firefighters echoed those concerns.

Additionally, some of the equipment passed its "life expectancy" in
2009. Technical support for key components of the system will end in
2014.

Last October, county officials hired a consultant, L. Robert Kimball
and Associates, to look at the system and an upgrade proposed by
Harris Corporation, which installed the current radio system.

The consultant presented findings in February and found that Harris'
proposal calls for more of a replacement of the system than upgrade.

The consultant also said that the county should seek competitive
offers for the radio system.

The county then invited more consultants to bid to inspect the entire
communication system and help Spotsylvania officials examine offers
from radio vendors. County selected AECOM from among those
consultants.

Harris and Motorola are the two biggest vendors of local government
radio systems. Neighboring Stafford County uses Motorola.

Spotsylvania also needs to upgrade its radio system to comply with
federal interoperability standards. The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security won't give money for communications upgrades unless
localities meet these standards.

County officials wouldn't estimate how much the total project would
cost, but Stafford County's most recent radio system cost about $23
million.

Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Email: aumble at freelancestar.com