High tech, high price tag technology supports first responders

Even in a disaster situation, positive outcomes can emerge. In evidence: South Walton, Florida, has hurricane Katrina to thank for its present state-of-the-art emergency response system. In 2006, still reacting to the devastation of Katrina, as well as the issues raised during 9/11, the federal Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau was established to “develop, recommend and administer policies pertaining to public safety communications issues.” Thanks to a 2008 grant from that agency, the South Walton Fire District now has a state-of-the-art network in place. SWFD personnel are anxious to explain exactly what that means to citizens of the county.

“This allows us to talk to one another as well as other fire departments across the state,” Marc Anderson, SWFD’s assistant chief told Mary Brady of the Walton Sun. “We can use our radios to receive help from outside agencies and provide better disaster response. Our radios will operate anywhere in the state, now.”

Last November, the five fire departments in South Walton threw the switch on the new 800 MHz system. More than $1 million in funding needed for the new system was provided by a federal grant. Prior to effecting this change, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had regulatory clearances as well as equipment upgrades to negotiate before the plan could be made functional. Clearing the 800 MHz bandwidth for emergency communications to prevent interference from other wireless communication networks was necessary.

In addition to making the system interoperable, making 911 services accessible to wireless customers and Internet-based devices, referred to as “enhanced 911 services” was important. Eighty-four percent of the population now uses wireless phones, and 13 percent have no land line service in their homes. Creating a system that allows emergency responders to pinpoint the location of 911 wireless calls has required significant effort.

Robin Etienne, communications coordinator, credits the ability of South Walton agencies to cooperate with obtaining the necessary resources to make this happen.” All of our people worked together to put this in place,” said Etienne.