Statewide First Responder
Fire/EMS Radio
Interoperability Initiative Committee

January 30, 2004

RE: Update First Responder Radio Interoperability Committee
Homeland Security Grant Program-Equipment Distribution

Dear Chief:

The First Responder Radio Interoperability Committee has been meeting on a regular basis to prioritize the efforts by the Department of Safety under the Homeland Security grant program to provide a statewide interoperable public safety radio communications system focused on local needs. The formation of this committee was outlined to you and other municipal leaders in a letter dated July 29, 2003. This correspondence is intended to update on these efforts of the past five months.

This fall, the Department of Safety performed a survey of the local Fire and EMS service providers to determine their needs. This detailed survey resulted in defining the number of mobile and portable radios currently used by the local Fire and EMS communities. Approximately 92% of potentially eligible units of local government responded to this crucial survey. 

At the direction of the First Responder Radio Interoperability Committee, an equipment order was placed to acquire an initial supply of Motorola Astro Project 25 (APCO-25) mobile radios. This order was based upon a State bid contract in place. It is expected that installation could take up to 18 months to complete all 3000 pieces of local Fire and EMS statewide apparatus.

What is Next? To proceed to the installation phase of this project we have enclosed a survey that must be completed by your department and returned to the NH Dept of Safety in order to facilitate installation.

• The three pages of the survey must be completed and returned by your department, providing the Department of Safety with pertinent information that will be provided to the Motorola authorized dealer who will perform the installation.
• Installation will be performed on a first come, first served basis, based on the date the survey was received by the NH Dept of Safety.
• If your department is receiving a new piece of equipment during the installation time period, you may notify the Department of Safety in writing and the new equipment will be placed at the top of the priority list for installation. This notification will all help alleviate local departments installing "old" or incompatible equipment.
• The intent of this equipment is to be installed in municipally owned vehicles in service. This equipment is not intended for POV’s.
• All equipment allocated to your department will have the title of ownership transferred to your agency once all equipment has been installed statewide.
• Your current radios will not become obsolete with this project.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, you should contract one of the committee members.

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