Statewide 700 MHz Communication System

Maryland First  

    The State of Maryland is building a state-of-the-art digital communications system that will serve all State agencies as well as local jurisdictions that choose to partner for the highest level of interoperability in emergency communications. The personnel working on this system will be know as the Maryland First Responders Interoperable Radio System Team ( Maryland FiRST).

    GOAL

    First responders in every region in Maryland should have access to a fully digital, trunked radio system that all response partners can access in order to transmit and receive voice and data.

OBJECTIVES

  • Develop a statewide interoperable radio communications plan and system in partnership with all state agencies and local jurisdictions.
  • Develop interim/gap solutions in order to sustain operability and interoperability as the State migrates to a fully interoperable communications system.
  • First responders in the field should have handheld radios capable of accessing the statewide communications system. 

 

IMPLEMENTATION

A contract for a new Statewide 700 MHz Communications System was awarded to Motorola on November 17, 2010 to begin the design and installation of the system. A phased approach is being used to develop the statewide system. The first phase will be built in Region 1-A, an area that represents the service area of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police as well as 3 Maryland State Police Barracks: North East, JKF and Golden Ring.

  • The first phase of the system will be built using existing State infrastructure (towers).
  • Governance will be developed through the SIEC.
  • Each agency will have a single person as the 700 MHz point of contact with technical and operational leaders assigned to sub-groups.
  • The state is working with local jurisdictions to collaborate on upgrades to existing systems. 
  • The plan provides for additional Regions to be built as part of the State’s Capital program over the next eight years.
  • Phase II of the project will be the Eastern Shore (Region 2).
  • Funding for this next Phase is being requested in FY13’s Capital Budget.