Countywide Radio Communications A Goal

Even in the era of cell phones, satellite phones & wi-fi communications, there's no substitute for good 2-way radio to connect public safety officials. With that thought in mind & the needs of a growing region, the Board of Supervisors has placed an importance on getting all entities from the Co. to cities to law enforcement to fire departments together on a radio communications plan for the future.

"The Board of Supervisors is aware how important it is to have everyone on the same page when it comes to communications," said Emergency Services Manager Pete Weaver. "If we can effectively talk to Public Safety & vice-versa, the result will be lives saved."

In 2006 the Board created a new radio communications program to study & focus on the needs of every public service agency across Pinal Co. The effort, placed under Chief Information Officer Genene Walker, has resulted in the hiring of an Information Technology Radio Communications Director. Jay Vargo, who has spent the last 3 years working for Arizona's Division of Emergency Management as their Communications Officer, will look to make improvements in radio communications between several public safety agencies. Vargo, Walker, Weaver, along with Radio Communications Administrator for the Pinal Co. Sheriff's Office, Curtis Fonger, have already hit the pavement in getting everyone together on a communications plan for the entire County.

On Dec. 20th, 2006, Pinal County, along with participants from the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Maricopa & Florence met & formed a radio communications consortium.

The consortium, open to all public safety disciplines in each city/town & tribal community in Pinal Co., looks to act as a forum for the agencies to share information about their specific concerns regarding radio communications. It's hoped that each participating agency will focus on common challenges & goals both technical & operational.

"The open lines of communication & the partnerships we are forming will go a long way in helping us solve problems with interagency radio communications," Walker said following the 1st meeting. "We'll look to develop operational procedures that will allow each agency to talk to each other. We're off to a good start."

One big step taken is a signing of a memorandum-of-understanding between Pinal Co. & the Arizona D.P.S. Once the agreement's approved, the Co. can utilize the new Arizona Emergency Radio System (AERS) along with mutual aid frequencies. By using this system, it will allow Pinal County to interact with others even with dissimilar radio systems.

"This allows us one more tool that can help public safety agencies better coordinate multi-agency incidents," commented Vargo. "When outside jurisdictions-either federal, state, tribal or local agencies come in to assist on a large scale incident; these frequencies can help provide immediate communications to the incident commander. Likewise if our public safety officials travel to a different jurisdiction outside our area, they will have the mutual aid frequencies programmed into their radio systems so they can be of assistance."

Weaver added: "In the end, not only do the people of Pinal Co. win, but everyone wins."