newton mass - 2017 radio info

from City of Newton, Massachusetts Mayor Ruthanne Fuller Capital
Improvement Plan FY2022-FY2026 October 19, 2020 -
https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40950

Radio System Infrastructure The Radio System Infrastructure is the
backbone of the City's Public Safety Emergency Communications System.
Components include 9 radio sites, 12 Transmitters, 21 receivers, 2
dispatch centers, an emergency operations center, 300 portable radios,
and 80 mobile radios in public safety and other critical City
vehicles. The system is currently non-trunked, UHF in the 470 & 480
Mhz range. Simulcast Radio System Upgrade In 2017, the need to expand
radio coverage for both Police and Fire was identified as a priority
for both departments. Working together with the assistance of a
consultant, we are currently formulating a specification to expand the
radio system. We will move to a simulcast system which will consist of
several transmitters where in the old system there was only one. These
transmitters are synchronized across the city to appear as one to a
listening radio. Having these transmitters geographically separated
will allow for significant improvements not only to on street coverage
but also inside buildings. We are expecting to have the system built
and online over the next few years. As part of this, we will also be
adding two additional radio receiving sites at Fire Station 1 and Fire
Station 7. The team will also be deploying a new fiber-based IP
network to allow the sites to communicate over redundant fiber
connections. The system will be monitored at both the Police and Fire
headquarters by technicians who can respond to any alerts of potential
problems. These alerts will also be emailed out for remote monitoring
by responders.

Combined Emergency Dispatch Center The City of Newton Combined
Emergency Dispatch Center is the City's Public Safety Answering Center
(PSAP) taking calls for Police, Fire, and Medical emergencies. The
Dispatch Center completed a full system upgrade to a Motorola Radio
MCC7500 computer-based system in 2017. The City's Dispatch Center
receives 27,000 emergency 911 calls each year and is responsible for
dispatching appropriate police, fire or medical personnel in response
to all calls. The calls range from simple requests to life and death
situations. All Dispatchers are certified 911/EMD, utilizing computer
based medical protocol, 911 geo-location of incoming calls, and a
computerized Dispatch system. In 2018, the 911 system was upgraded to
the latest General Dynamics platform.