Narrow banding, centalization and interoperability

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The subject of narrowbanding seems to be quite simple. In December 2004, the Federal Communications Commission mandated all non-federal public safety licensees using 25 kHz radio systems must migrate to a narrowband 12.5 kHz by Jan. 1, 2013. Agencies that do not meet that deadline face the loss of communication capabilities. The reason is that using narrowband channels will ensure that agencies take advantage of more efficient technology, and by reducing channel width, will allow additional channels to exist within the same spectrum space. The accepted rule of thumb is that all radios manufactured prior to about 1999, will have to be replaced. All radios that are currently in use by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department are not capable of being re-channeled and will have to be replaced. Part of that procedure needs to be the assurance that any radios systems acquired for Bureau County are interoperable with other emergency radios and systems acquired by other emergency radio users. Interoperability is the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information.

I believe that now is the time to look at two issues associated with this mandated change. The first is “centralization.” Bureau County currently possess a state-of-the art communication center in BuEComm that is underutilized. One of the original purposes of establishing BuEComm was centralize communications within Bureau County. Unfortunately, personalities, politics and egos got in the way, and the realization was never achieved. As part of the migration to narrow banding and acquiring new radio equipment, now is the time to revisit that original concept. Many surrounding counties are in the process of centralizing their dispatch facilities. The staff at BuEComm is highly trained and would require minimal training to answer emergency telephone calls and dispatch from the same location.

The BuEComm facility was designed to be the center point for any emergency situations that might arise in Bureau County. The facility contains an emergency operations center, and the dispatch capabilities are co-located in an adjoining room. That is the ideal solution to any emergency situation the might arise and has successfully been used for many local training scenarios.

Another aspect of dispatching Bureau County deputies that should be considered is the Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) system, using Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in each patrol car. As it appears that the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department will be looking at all new radio components, the use of the CAD system should be included within that search. At one time, the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department was offered the MDTs as part of a grant, and the monthly user fees would have been quite affordable. That did not happen, although two local police departments are using MDTs. The encrypted CAD and unencrypted voice communication work together with the MDT for use in a vehicle and the voice function being used on the portable radio. The CAD system has a lot of positive features for law enforcement both now and on into the future. It allows for the quick and secure dispatch of deputies in an emergency, sending encrypted data rather than voice over an open airway, it gathers and retains data on every person who has contact with the deputies, and it allows deputies to perform a number of functions right from a vehicle that would normally have to be completed over a microphone, thus insuring less chance of misunderstanding. Add-on applications include the ability to write and submit reports without having to return to a central location or the ability to confirm a subjects identity using a portable fingerprint scanner. This may or may not be something that is feasible, but it is an alternative to purchasing something that may not be the best solution for Bureau County, and that alternative should be explored.

Joe Bertetto

Sheffield

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