UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson today announced that the county has officially launched the new 700 MHZ public safety communications radio system.  The first call over the new system was dispatched to the police shortly after the announcement.

“During my time as County Executive I have made many important announcements, but none as are important as the one I’m making today,” Johnson said.  “After being known as the communication gap in the region for many years, today we are closing that gap by launching a new state-of-the-art radio system.”

The announcement is the culmination of a four and a half year period in which the county contracted RCC Consultants to develop and design a radio system focused on interoperability and then chose Motorola to build the radio towers and provide radios for the system.

To accommodate the new system, the county built 21 new radio towers, partnering with the state to build five of those.  The total cost of the system is approximately $76 million, with $14 million in federal and state grants.

“Efficient coordination is vital for law enforcement and first responders to keep citizens safe from harm and disaster,” stated Congressman Steny Hoyer, who helped secure federal funding for the project. “This new network will significantly enhance data interoperability in the county and strengthen the ability of public safety officials to communicate and coordinate with one another and outside jurisdictions. I am pleased to support this important initiative, which represents a truly coordinated effort itself among federal, state and local partners.”

“Our brave police, fire and EMS providers work day and night to protect our homes and families. That’s why I fight every year to make sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs quicker, safer and smarter,” said Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Justice Department. “I was proud to put funds in the federal checkbook to help launch the 700 MHZ Radio System. These are the kind of smart tools our first responders need to stay safe while they save lives.”

The new system will allow the county to maximize use of its public safety network by increasing capacity, expanding coverage and enhancing interoperability.  With the new technology, all public safety agencies in the county will be able to communicate with each other and they will also be able to communicate with public safety agencies in surrounding jurisdictions.

Included with the new system is the Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) technology.  With this system, dispatchers will know where public safety personnel is at all times and will be able to dispatch the closest available units to an emergency.  This will decrease response time and provide a more efficient level of public safety to the citizens and residents of Prince George’s County.

The Police Department is the first agency to come online with the new system.  They will be followed by the Department of Corrections, Sheriff and Court House security.  The Fire/EMS Department is scheduled to come online in November 2010 to coincide with the opening of the new 911 Call Center.