MADISON County – New system enhances communications with partnering agencies, and increases public safety
On Wednesday Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott announced the completion of a new statewide radio communications system that will enhance the safety of the public and state troopers and increase efficiency between public safety agencies.
The statewide radio system, engineered by Motorola Solutions and Buford Goff and Associates (BGA), was completed on time and within budget, said Col Trott
Trott said the new system replaces a system that was nearly 40 years old. “The old system was in use when I signed on and even before me”, said Trott.
The new interoperable radio system provides enhanced communications between state troopers and dispatchers as well as the THP and partnering public safety agencies. “
According to Trott, Gov. Bill Haslam requested and the General Assembly appropriated a total of $120 million for the new radio system.
The original partners with the THP for the new system were the Department of Correction and the Tennessee Valley Regional Communications System in the Chattanooga area. Other partners now include Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Sullivan County, and the cities of Smyrna and Johnson City. The Department of Transportation (TDOT) has purchased the equipment and will soon join the system.
“During the horrific active shooter incident last July in Chattanooga, emergency officials from numerous public safety agencies responding to the various scenes were able to clearly and immediately communicate with one another,” Colonel Trott said. “This allowed the THP command staff to monitor the situation from Nashville and quickly deploy the necessary resources needed in Chattanooga. I believe the real time communication contributed to the swift response of first responders and possibly saved countless lives.” –
The department held a statewide media event on Wednesday. Marshall Wright, vice president of sales, Motorola Solutions said “Seamless, interoperable communications between agencies is helping improve safety and efficiency for first responders in large-scale events as well as daily emergencies in every corner of the state of Tennessee.”
In addition to the current partners, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security encourages other agencies or jurisdictions to become members of the statewide interoperable radio communications system to even further enhance public safety in Tennessee.
