News from New York State Office for Technology

For more information contact: Karl Felsen (518) 408-2140

Construction Complete for Phase 1 of State’s Emergency Communication Network

Radio Transmission Sites in Erie and Chautauqua Counties are Online

ALBANY, NY (02/06/2008; 1358)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office for Technology today announced that construction is complete on the radio transmission sites necessary for previewing New York’s state-of-the-art emergency communication system in the primary region comprised of Erie and Chautauqua Counties. The interconnected sites are the backbone for the emergency radio network that first responders will use to communicate during emergencies and day-to-day operations.

Michael R. Mittleman, Deputy CIO at the New York State Office for Technology and Interim Project Director said, “This is an important project milestone and we are pleased with the progress we have made. These radio transmission sites will dramatically improve radio communication for the region’s first responders and public service workers in even the remotest areas where coverage did not previously exist.

With the network construction in the region now complete, we are set to begin a second round of testing and look forward to seeing what the fully fledged system can really do.”

Erie and Chautauqua Counties serve as the pilot area for the statewide initiative. Of the 36 sites that are the backbone in the primary region, nine are pole sites (similar to a telephone pole or flag pole); 23 sites are collocated on existing commercially or municipally owned towers; and four are newly constructed on municipally owned land.

The state Office for Technology has maintained environmental conservation as a priority throughout the project’s life and continues to follow a strict State Environmental Quality Review for every proposed radio transmission site, existing or new. The agency drafted a generic environmental impact statement after conducting public hearings and gathering public input. All sites are measured against these high standards.

“Minimizing the number of radio transmission sites and preserving the state’s natural resources have been goals of the project from the start,” Michael Mittleman said. “While some new communication sites need to be built, the state is committed to using existing infrastructure whenever possible. Reusing state and local municipal resources is always considered first as the network infrastructure is designed. Collocating on existing commercial transmission sites is the next alternative, followed by constructing a new radio transmission site as a last resort.”

The Statewide Wireless Network is an integrated public safety/service radio network with statewide coverage providing interoperability, or the ability to share voice and data communication between and among disciplines and jurisdictions. The network will be the first comprehensive upgrade to many of the state’s emergency radio systems in more than 30 years. The emergency radio network will provide essential connectivity to enable on-demand and real-time coordination of police, fire, emergency medical and other response services. When fully deployed, the system will provide coverage across 95 percent of the state’s geography and 97 percent of roadways.

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