A mere two weeks after its installation, emergency communications equipment was put to the test in Texas. As Focus Daily News reports, a tornado in Ellis County gave rescue personnel the opportunity to coordinate their responses via the new integrated public safety communications network. The new communications tower, dispatch system, and mobile radios streamlined communications by allowing direct contact between parties without multiple transfers and leapfrogging calls.
“Without a doubt, the new public safety communications system enabled our first responders to reach those in danger much more quickly,” said County Judge, Todd Little. “For what it cost, the network is saving our citizens that much more in damage – and lives.”
The new system is backwards compatible so that no important calls are missed, but is forward focused, incorporating the FCC’s Project 25 program, according to Focus Daily News. Project 25 has built-in encryption and data-transfer protocols, an upgrade over the old less secure communication relays.
The May 3 tornado helped emergency professionals make use of the new communications equipment by sending out an alert that was received by all rescue personnel at once, rather than in stages. The coordinated transmissions summoned emergency responders to the locations where they were needed. Ellis County’s improved damage control, search and rescue, and recovery efforts were deemed a success, according to the account.
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