The Chester County Commissioners tested the clarity and coverage of Chester County’s new emergency voice radio system this week at Pickering Valley Elementary School in Chester Springs. The “can you hear me now” test process confirmed voice radio coverage throughout the school, which was selected because the location and solid construction made radio broadcasting difficult.
Installation of the $42.1 million Harris Corporation radio system was completed earlier this year, and extensive testing of equipment and radio coverage is currently being undertaken. When the system “goes live” in 2016, it guarantees a minimum 97 percent radio coverage for police, fire and emergency medical services personnel who are responding to 9-1-1 emergencies throughout Chester County.
Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell led the testing outside the elementary school alongside Upper Uwchlan Police Chief John DeMarco.
“It is exciting to see, and hear through the radio transmitter, the successful result of years of research, consultation, selection and installation of a new emergency voice radio system,” said Farrell. “It’s also reassuring to note that initial testing of the system has exceeded the goal of 97 percent radio coverage throughout the County.”
Commenting on the difference in clarity between the existing radio system and the new emergency voice system, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone noted: “The safety of Chester County citizens in the event of any emergency depends completely on our ability to communicate the incident quickly and accurately. Today’s comparison between the old analogue technology and the new digital voice radio system has reassured me that first responders will be able to get the right message, very quickly, to and from our 9-1-1 center.”
Testing for the radio coverage has been undertaken at one-quarter and one-half-mile grids, with more than 3,600 radio calls made to the 9-1-1 center in West Chester to gauge the voice quality and coverage. Municipality officials, staff and first responders throughout Chester County have fully supported the Chester County Department of Emergency Services throughout this project.
Commissioner Michelle Kichline tested the new radio system in the lower level of Pickering Valley Elementary School.
“Safety in our schools is extremely important, and I know that every school district in Chester County has taken measures to ensure that students, teachers and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency,” said Kichline. “The upgrade to this new voice radio system will truly enhance those safety plans.”
Joining the Commissioners and Chester County Department of Emergency Services Director Robert Kagel were Upper Uwchlan Township Police Chief John DeMarco, Downingtown Area School District Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline and Chief Security Officer Tim Hubbard, Pickering Valley Elementary School Principal Joe Fernandes, as well as Upper Uwchlan Township Supervisor Kevin Kerr and Township Manager Cary Vargo.
Dr. Lawrence Mussoline, Superintendent of the Downingtown Area School District, which includes Pickering Valley Elementary School, endorsed Commissioner Kichline’s comments.
“Our goal is to create the safest schools possible for our children and our community, and we have undertaken a number of measures to ensure that safety,” said Dr. Mussoline. “The historically challenging emergency radio coverage is an issue that we, and other school districts, have had to address. Without this new digital radio system, Downingtown would have had to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in bidirectional amplifiers for radio coverage inside every school. We thank the Commissioners for their tremendous investment in the safety of our students and staff, as well as all Chester County residents.”
In January 2016, emergency responders will begin using the Harris radio system in their daily operations, and by April 21, 2016, the analogue equipment will no longer be used.
In February 2013, the Chester County Commissioners signed a contract with Harris Corporation for the purchase, installation and maintenance of the new emergency radio system. The contract for purchase, installation and two years of maintenance totaled $27.4 million, with $14.7 million allocated for maintenance of the system for an additional eight years following installation.
