Littleton, Ma: Field Testing The Incident Commander’s Radio Interface
The Littleton, Mass., Police and Fire departments jointly bought an Incident Commanders’ Radio Interface developed by Communications-Applied Technologies in early 2003 to augment their radio systems. The tool provides communications interoperability over multiple radio bands, landlines, and cellular lines, an asset for emergency services.
The Annual Fireworks Show held on July 3, 2003, at Devens provided the perfect climate to field test the equipment. The main goal of the pilot test was to allow three separate operational frequencies on three bands to work simultaneously in handling parking, syncopation of music, and fireworks at the event.
It took the Rescue crew only 30 minutes to get the system operational, from start, which included training and assignment, to implementation.
With only minor adjustments, the system was used by more than 30 people to communicate. The only major problem encountered was unreliable coverage outside a half-mile radius.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from 9-1-1 Magazine (02/04) P. 22; McCurdy, Alexander .