Interoperability With First Responders Is Easier
One of the most important two-way radio communication capabilitie
s a campus can have is interoperability with first responders. Luckily, this isn’t as challenging as before.
“Interoperability isn’t difficult,” Crosby says. “It’s just that you’ve got to get all the parties together and go, ‘What are the channels that we can use in times of emergency?'”
Campuses need to reach out to their regional planning committee and local first responders to get information on interoperable channels in this area and how to get permission to use them. Crosby says the one barrier standing between campuses and interoperability with first responders might be the need for public safety compatible radios, which adhere to the Project 25 (P25) standard.
P25 is a suite of standards for digital radio communications between federal, state and local public safety agencies across the nation. The standards ensure that radio equipment from various manufacturers will be able to communicate with one another, as long as they meet the standard.
“Some of the public safety radios are expensive because they are a little bit more sophisticated,” Crosby notes, adding that even if your campus doesn’t have the funds to equip all radio carriers with pricey P25-compatible equipment, you can still be interoperable. “You could have five or 10 interoperable radios set aside that are set as go straight to … the interoperability channel.”
In the case of campus emergency, designated staff with those P25 radios would be charged with contacting first responders, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Much Is at Stake, So Upgrade Now
Campuses and hospitals across the country are no strangers to tragic circumstances. Since Sandy Hook, there have been dozens more school shootings.
“Every major disaster that we’ve had in the country – I’m talking about 9/11 all the way through to the Boston marathon bombings – the only systems that worked effectively were these paging systems,” McNaught says. “They just continued to work because of the way the system is structured.”
For radio users, having the right spectrum could make all the difference in an emergency situation. A good vendor should be able to explain your options, but part of equation is knowing the right questions to ask. The size of your facility, the number of staff and even your geographic location will come into play.
Crosby also points out that settling for a radio system that lacks some of the latest features could put you at a disadvantage, both in coverage and capability.
“I would recommend that you be aggressive in seeking the latest and greatest technology,” Crosby says. “Don’t settle; there’s too much at stake.”
Brittany Marie-Swanson is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and former associate editor of Campus Safety.
