SWCS’ radio repeater is located in its transportation center. In what Sigrist says was a happy accident, the district’s transportation building also happens to be where it houses a back-up generator. Now, if a severe storm knocks out the power, SWCS officials will still be able to communicate with each other and with first responders.
Without the generator, “in the event of an emergency, if that part of the district lost power, we would not be able to communicate across the district,” Sigrist says.
System Is Scalable
SWCS’ repeater puts the district in the position to consider sizable upgrades in the future. The district installed a large radio tower as part of the project, which Sigrist says can support data.
“There could be a possibility in the future that instead of using cables for internet, we could actually move data across the district using [the tower],” he explains.
Although the district has no plans to utilize this feature as of yet, “it’s just one of those things we talk about now that we have the capability,” Sigrist says. “It’s an option for us at a later date.”
Comply With FCC’s Narrowbanding Mandate Now
The FCC’s new technical parameters, called narrowbanding, allow for the more efficient use of VHF and UHF land mobile frequency bands. Narrowbanding will reduce the amount of bandwidth used by each radio channel, thereby increasing the number of channels available for use.
The changes will reduce the bandwidth of each radio channel by one half, so that twice as many channels will exist on each spectrum.
If licensees do not upgrade to radio systems that utilize at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology by 2013, they could be left without a working radio system. In addition, the FCC could revoke licenses or fine users who do not comply.
“The thing that worries me now, if your district hasn’t yet [upgraded radios to meet the narrowbanding parameters], it’s crunch time,” Gary Sigrist, Jr., project director for readiness and emergency management in schools, emphasizes.
District at a Glance
The South-Western City School District in Franklin County, Ohio, serves 20,543 students on 31 campuses across 119 square miles. It is the second largest in Franklin County and the sixth largest in the state. The district employs 2,486 staff and faculty members.
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