Duncan Announces Negotiations Complete For Final Stage of Public Safety 2000

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Contact: Robert Kendal, 240-777-2800
David Weaver, 240-777-6530
For Immediate Release: September 7, 2000

Duncan Announces Negotiations Complete
For Final Stage of Public Safety 2000

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that the County has taken a significant step forward in outfitting police cars and other public safety vehicles with state-of-the-art wireless communications systems that will improve officer safety, increase productivity and reduce time-consuming paperwork. Last week, the County signed a deal with TRW - the main contractor for the Public Safety 2000 system - clearing the way for work to begin on the $130 million dollar project. Duncan also announced that he will be requesting from the County Council a supplemental appropriation for nearly $50 million to complete the funding package.

The Mobile Data System component of Public Safety 2000 will include in-vehicle access to local, state and national databases, as well as access to a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, mapping and Automated Vehicle Location (AVL), and a new automated Records Management System (RMS) featuring in-vehicle field reporting. The new system is expected to be totally operational by July 2002, and will be one of the first mobile data systems in the country to be a fully integrated system combining fire/rescue and police radio and records management system.

"With this new system we're giving our crime fighters and other emergency personnel the tools they need to work in the 21st century," said Duncan. "It is a system based on wireless communications and automated information technology that reduces paperwork and gets our officers back on the street more quickly."

"This is a most significant development for both the citizens of Montgomery County and the police officers who serve them," stated County Council President Michael L. Subin. "This system will increase the ability of public safety personnel to serve our citizens more safely and efficiently than before."

The new computers will provide users with on-line capabilities to obtain and input data on numerous activities related to law enforcement and public safety activities. Among the many capabilities of the system, are the ability to access street directions to an incident, receive a record of previous emergency incidents at the address, and obtain a listing of any hazardous materials located on the premises. Police officers can obtain valuable information on criminal and motor vehicle databases such as the Maryland Interagency Law Enforcement System (MILES) and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS). The new system will give personnel the ability to complete and file reports electronically in the field.

The Public Safety 2000 initiative will also significantly improve radio communications for public safety personnel in the county. The current radio system is 30 years old, and it no longer meets the coverage or capacity requirements of the County. In recent years, problems with the aging radio system include channel overcrowding and "dead spots" for police officers, sheriffs, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who must respond to emergency calls for service. A new 800 MHz Motorola digital voice radio system will be fully operational within the next 18 months, offering municipalities and County agencies the option of working together when the situation arises, while maintaining autonomous dispatch operations. The new system will also penetrate buildings, enabling public safety personnel to communicate efficiently from inside large structures.

"The Public Safety 2000 system will enhance firefighter safety through improved in-building radio coverage, reliable transmissions, premise and address information and interoperability with other mutual aid fire companies and public safety departments," said Fire Administrator Gordon Aoyagi. "We are excited about the opportunities of further cooperation and collaboration among the public safety departments that the new technology will bring about in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of fire and emergency medical services to our citizens."

"This new system will allow our officers to do their jobs not only safer, but also more expediently," commented Police Chief Charles A. Moose. "For us in our service to the community, this improvement in technology translates to being more effective at saving lives, deterring and preventing crime and improving the quality of neighborhoods."

"The new Public Safety 2000 mobile data and radio system will redesign the way we do business, allowing us to have instant access to information that is critical for our deputies to have on the street," said Sheriff Raymond Kight. "This project can only improve officer efficiency and safety and allow us to better serve the citizens of this county. I commend the County Executive and County Council for supporting this important public safety project."

The independent price verification and validation (IPVV) study requested by the County Council is complete and the price negotiated with TRW, Inc. is in line with the mid-range of the IPVV analysis, and the scope of the Mobile Data System project is in line with the work of other jurisdictions.

As part of the Public Safety 2000 project the County leased a 54,000 sq. ft. building to house the new Emergency Communications Center (ECC). This facility is located on the corner of Quince Orchard Boulevard and Quince Orchard Road. As with the present ECC, the police and fire dispatch centers will be co-located to provide efficient, coordinated dispatch service. Also contained in the new ECC will be technology training and technical support facilities. The new technology training center will provide the public safety community with the classroom space necessary to instruct the user community in the new technologies to be employed.

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