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Local Government Radio System Launched
  
- Approximately 4,000 radio users are now off the public safety system -
  

BROWARD COUNTY, FL The initial migration of approximately 4,000 local government agency and public school radio users from the public safety radio system to a new local government radio system is complete. 

The migration includes approximately 2,000 School District users (primarily bus operators) and roughly 2,000 users from 17 County agencies including Aviation, Port Everglades, Parks and Recreation and Water & Wastewater Services. Users now have access to a new, robust 400 MHz UHF trunked digital system, which operates on a separate frequency from the public-safety radio system. County Government and Broward School District users have been trained by their respective entities on standard operating procedures and can further enhance the system and contribute to its success by following proper radio protocols.

"The new $1.3 million investment in infrastructure, paid for by Broward County with General Fund (ad valorem) dollars and implemented ahead of schedule and before the start of the new school year, achieves the goal of moving non-public safety communications off the public safety radio system, which ensures that public safety first responders have a dedicated public safety radio system and it saves money for local government and public school users," said County Administrator Bertha Henry. 

"Broward County provided early access to school district users which allowed us to thoroughly test the coverage capabilities of the system. Our migration team is happy to report that the coverage and audio quality are excellent," said Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie. "The migrated system will continue to provide reliable communication to our busses each day without impacting the capacity of the public safety system. The positive collaboration between Broward County Public Schools and Broward County on this complex migration process was key to its momentum, efficiency and overall success.”

Broward County will monitor performance in the weeks following August 14, the first day of school, and provide additional testing and modifications if necessary to optimize coverage.

Local government radios cost between $800 and $1,000 per unit. Radios for public safety radio system users often run more than $6,000 per unit. Approximately $2 million is saved with the purchase of the new fleet of radios which are more compatible with the new local government radio system.

The County's Regional Communications and Technology will be responsible for notifying local government radio users of any operational changes, service issues or necessary maintenance.

Since consolidation of the new Regional 911 system in October 2014, Broward County has initiated many projects and system upgrades to improve the infrastructure and enhance the performance of public safety response in Broward County. To date the investment in the system by the Broward County Commission totals nearly $500 million.

DATE: July 25, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brett Bayag, Assistant Director
Regional Communications and Technology 
PHONE:  
954-357-8565
EMAIL:  
bbayag@broward.org

About Regional Emergency Services and Communications

Regional Emergency Services and Communications manages Broward County’s consolidated regional E-911 system and the Emergency Management Division. Communications and Technology Division works to foster collaboration, information sharing and voice interoperability by strategically designing, implementing and maintaining mission critical public safety applications, E-911, Public Safety and local government Radio Communications and Mobile Broadband Systems that best meet the requirements of Broward County’s first responders. Visit 911.Broward.org  more information.