Radio System
In June of 2012 St. Mary's County awarded a contract to enhance 9-1-1 radio communications throughout the county with a three phase NextGen P-25 Radio System. Phase I of the project was completed and the acceptance of Phase I was finalized on December 30, 2013. Phase I included two additional tower sites, the replacement of all subscriber radios, the expansion and upgrade of our backup dispatch center, upgrades to our main dispatch center, and the addition of a backup network control site. Work being performed as part of the FY-15 budget process includes a consolidation of the remaining two phases of the contract which will expand the current 6 tower site configuration to the planned 13 tower configuration as specified in the contract.
The St. Mary's County Radio System supports an extensive user base which includes all county agencies in addition to interoperability with neighboring counties, and MarylandFirst (Maryland Statewide Interoperable Communications System). End user radio support is provided by two county Radio Technicians supplemented by a factory certified Senior Field Technician who is responsible for the radio system infrastructure and operation.