I. Purpose: A. The intent of this policy is to establish Routt County s radio communications needs and requirements and to provide guidance for the type and frequency of portable and mobile radio assignments and replacements for those departments and organizations supported by the Department. B. To develop and promote mission critical interoperable communications in Routt County. C. To provide guidance to address a balance between industry standard life-cycle replacement schedules, budget concerns and available funding, and radio serviceability. II. Definitions: A. The subscriber or end-user radio subsystem includes mobile and portable radios to enable communications by system users. radios are vehicle mounted radios, while the "walkie-talkie" radios are called portables or packsets. B. 700MHz: the public safety radio spectrum between 763 and 806 Megahertz as currently authorized by the FCC. C. 800MHz: the public safety radio spectrum between 806 and 862 Megahertz as currently authorized by the FCC. D. APCO Project 25 (P25): a series of standards for digital Land Radio (LMR) communications backbone and mobile and portable radios for use by federal, state/province, and local public safety agencies in North America and globally to enable them to communicate with other agencies and mutual aid response teams in a local or wide-area emergency. E. Multi-Band or Dual Band Radio: A radio capable of transmitting and receiving on two different bands of the radio spectrum. For the purpose of this policy, the two bands to be utilized are 700/800 Mhz and VHF high band. F. Repeater: an electronic device designed to instantly retransmit what is most often a higher power transmission of a mobile and/or portable. G. Talkgroup: a trunked radio system talk channel. H. Trunking: Trunking is the commonly accepted term for electronically controlled sharing of a relatively small number of communications channels among a relatively large number of users. In general terms, a trunk is a shared voice or data traffic path between two points. Page 1 of 5
I. VHF Radio (High-band): the public safety radio spectrum between 150 and 174 Megahertz as currently authorized by the FCC. J. SAFECOM: provides guidance, tools, and templates on communications-related issues and supports research and testing of communications products for public safety (http://www.dhs.gov/safecom). III. Policy: A. General Information: 1. Organizational changes like budget constraints, staffing changes, and departmental realignments, the creation of new work teams and task forces, and greater collaboration with state and federal agencies can affect communications needs. Organizational needs must be reviewed frequently to determine compliance with policy and whether changes are warranted. 2. Recognizing the importance of communications interoperability. Interoperability improves the ability of emergency responders to reduce the loss of life and property in emergency situations by facilitating rapid and efficient interaction among all emergency response organizations and providing immediate and coordinated assistance in day-to-day missions and task force operations. Adequate emergency response radio communications interoperability is essential for emergency responders to function promptly, effectively, and cost efficiently. If emergency response agencies cannot communicate directly with one another by radio to coordinate emergency response, lives and property are at risk. B. Standardization: 1. All radio communication procedures and two-way communications equipment shall meet the standardization criteria as set forth to be compatible with the Routt County VHF system and State of Colorado Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS). Furthermore any radios purchased shall be APCO Project 25 (P25) standards. 2. The policy of standardization of two-way radio communication equipment is necessary to maintain the most efficient service possible to meet the standards set forth. 3. Multiband radios are available and can provide added levels of interoperability or provide flexibility to improve operability. Access to multiple bands increases the capability of providing interoperability with other jurisdictions or disciplines and Page 2 of 5
enhances operability. increased reliability. Having two systems also provides redundant systems for C. Assignment: 1. It is the intent of this policy to assign radios to those individuals and departments to provide the proper 2-way communications paths aligned with their need identified in the Department Radio Needs Matrix later in this document. D. Radio Life-Cycle: 1. Manufacturer end of life (EOL) support should be considered for determining when radios will be replaced. Typically, Motorola will provide manufacturer service and support (repairs) for approximately 5 (five) years after their last order announcement (sometimes referred to as radio cancellation). Parts are generally available for an additional 5 (five) years. 2. The Pool budget provides funding for the periodic replacement of radios based on the following schedule: a. Radios: 20 years from year of purchase. b. Portable Radios (Pack-set): 15 years from year of purchase. Page 3 of 5
Department Patrol and Admin Jail Court Emergency Management Emergency Management Wildland Fire Department Radio Needs Matrix Public Safety Mission Critical Radio Type Quantity Existing Radio Band Future Need 27 800 Multi Band 29 VHF n/a 23 800 Multi Band 22 VHF n/a 9 800 Multi Band 2 800 Multi Band 3 800 Multi Band 0 VHF n/a 0 NE n/a 1 800 Multi Band 13 VHF n/a 1 800 800 3 VHF VHF 0 800 n/a 2 VHF VHF 0 NE n/a YVRA Administration YVRA Maintenance YVRA ARFF Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting 2 800 800 1 800 n/a 10 800 800 25 800 800 0 VHF n/a 34 VHF Air VHF Air 13 800 Multi Band 8 800 Multi Band 19 VHF n/a Page 4 of 5
Department Road and Bridge Communications Operations Communications Cache / Spare Coroner Maintenance Weed Department Radio Needs Matrix - Continued Public Safety Mission Critical Radio Type Quantity Existing Radio Band Future Need 10 800 800 1 VHF None 97 800 800 10 VHF None 1 800 Multi-Band 7 VHF n/a 12 800 Multi-Band 15 VHF n/a 7 800 800 4 VHF VHF 0 800 800 0 VHF VHF 2 800 Multi-Band 3 VHF n/a 1 800 Multi-Band 4 VHF n/a 0 800 None 0 VHF None 2 800 800 3 800 800 1 VHF None 1 800 800 Page 5 of 5