LOWELL, Mass.—M/A-COM Inc. said Florida law enforcement officers can now communicate seamlessly with local and regional public safety agencies over a single, common network using its 800 MHz statewide radio system.
M/A-COM is calling Florida’s Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System a national model for interoperable public safety communications, accommodating more than 6,500 users with 14,000 radios in patrol cars, boats, motorcycles and aircraft. SLERS consists of an all-digital radio network covering 60,000 square miles, including 25 miles offshore.
Jeb Bush, governor of Florida, said the public-private partnership arrangement between M/A-COM and the State of Florida saved the state more than $600 million in network costs.
Many states use multiple methods and systems for public safety communication, such as Colorado, where the City and County of Denver uses a M/A-COM system, while much of the rest of the state uses a Motorola Inc. system.
MA/COM pointed out that its system in Florida was tested during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. Fred Dickinson, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, stated, “Throughout the last eight hurricanes, the system has proven to be effective and allowed law enforcement officers to come to the aid of Floridians.”
In addition, M/A-COM noted that day-to-day operations will be enhanced by the SLERS system as previously used channel compression impeded communication by preventing radio contact, causing officers to talk over one another on the same line. The company said broad spectrum provided by the 800 MHz SLERS system prevents these problems and enables officers to immediately call dispatch for backup or contact another state agency for assistance.
