11/13/2006
Media Contact:
Jo Lynn Garing, [317] 664-1823
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690
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Mayor, Sheriff announce $37 million upgrade to public safety communication system
INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Bart Peterson, joined by Sheriff Frank Anderson, Indianapolis Public Safety Director Earl Morgan, Indianapolis Police Department Chief Michael Spears, Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Jim Greeson and City of Lawrence Fire Chief Dave Carlson, today announced a $37 million upgrade to the public safety radio communication system.
“This state-of-the-art communication system will provide clearer transmissions, improved coverage and increased reliability for our dedicated public safety and public service personnel,” Mayor Peterson said. “With this digital voice system, Indianapolis will once again be at the forefront of public safety communications.”
Nearly 20-years ago, an Air Force fighter jet crashed into the Ramada hotel. The communication difficulties that ensued during the crisis propelled local leaders to create the Metropolitan Emergency Communication Agency (MECA) to build and operate an interoperable communication system.
While the current system has served its more than 9,000 users well, the technology has grown obsolete, and agencies that rely on the system have experienced instances of spotty, unreliable radio transmissions.
Over the next year, MECA will spend approximately $37 million to enhance the current system, which went into operation in 1991. The new state-of-the-art digital voice system will continue to serve both public safety and public service users, including the new Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, IFD, township fire departments, excluded city police and fire departments, the Department of Public Works and IndyGo.
The project includes several new communication sites, an upgrade of existing towers, improved backup power systems, more than 6,500 new radios and 80 dispatch consoles for public safety and public service personnel throughout Indianapolis.
“This upgrade will not only improve officer safety, but will also make the jobs of our 911 dispatchers more efficient and effective,” said Sheriff Frank Anderson.
Improved Coverage. The new radio system includes six additional send and receive tower sites for a total of 11 sites. The current system has 5 send and receive sites and 5 receive only sites. The 11th site will be located in the Butler area and will improve coverage in Broad Ripple and other areas of the North side.
Additionally, in-building coverage is guaranteed by Motorola for 23 critical buildings throughout Indianapolis, such as government offices, universities and hospitals. In-building coverage also is enhanced in the downtown area.
“The guaranteed and enhanced in-building coverage is very important to the fire department,” said Indianapolis Fire Chief Jim Greeson. “Firefighters shouldn’t have to wonder if their radio is going to work when they get inside a building.”
Improved Reliability. The new redundant infrastructure will increase the level of communications reliability for the radio system during day-to-day operations and major events.
“The current radio system is old and out-dated,” said Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears. “There are areas here in Broad Ripple where officers sometimes can’t get a radio signal or that signal is full of static.
“MECA is aware of these challenges and has been doing everything it can to ensure our police officers can communicate on the street, such as suggesting officers in troubled spots carry newer radio models and replacing tower antennas,” he said.
Increased Interoperability. The radio system will provide improved interoperability with users of the Integrated Public Safety Commission’s (IPSC) statewide Motorola communications system, Project Hoosier SAFE-T.
Enhanced Voice Clarity. Digital technology provides clearer voice communications over the current analog system.
Higher Level of Safety. All of these benefits translate into a higher level of safety for responders and the community through a more efficient and more effective voice communications system.
“MECA is committed to providing a state-of-the-art, Unified Communications Network – radio, paging, records management and mobile data services – that will enhance the safety of Indianapolis residents and public safety personnel,” said MECA director Ray Raney. “The upgrade of our radio service is a needed undertaking that will once again put Indianapolis at the forefront of public safety communications.”
MECA is responsible for operating a public safety communication system and computer facilities for more than 90 public safety and public service agencies and more than 9,000 customers.
MECA develops, manages and maintains an integrated county-wide public safety emergency communication system for law enforcement activities, fire protection, emergency ambulance service and disaster relief. Additionally, MECA provides communication support to public service agencies throughout Marion County and mutual aid communication support for public safety agencies in contiguous counties.
MECA has contracted with Motorola to upgrade the system.
“The City of Indianapolis and MECA have selected a sophisticated Motorola communications system with the latest features and capabilities required to support the city's mission critical public safety communications needs well into the future,” said Joe Mann, Vice President of Motorola Sales and Services, Inc. and Director of Sales. “The state-of-the-art technology in this digital communications system, including new tower sites and more than 6,000 new Motorola radios and 80 dispatch consoles, will give Indianapolis public safety and public service increased interoperability, improved reliability and improved coverage.
“Motorola is very pleased to be providing Indianapolis with this new radio system that will deliver improved in-building coverage throughout Indianapolis and will provide improved interoperability with users of the statewide communications system, Project Hoosier SAFE-T.”
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