By Jay Hughes, The Associated Press
Little Rock, Ark. (AP) _ Three Arkansas counties will act as pilot projects for a digital statewide communications network that should allow all of Arkansas’ emergency workers to talk with each other at will.
The multimillion-dollar system is to be built with help from the federal government as it beefs up the nation’s ability to respond to emergencies in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Gov. Mike Huckabee discussed details of the envisioned Arkansas Wireless Information System at a news conference Wednesday. He said it will allow communication between all state and local law enforcement agencies, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency workers.
“This is one of the best pieces of news we’re heard in Arkansas in a long time, especially for those who depend on first responders,” Huckabee said.
The first phase of the multi-year project will cost $27 million and involves converting the infrastructure of the Arkansas State Police statewide radio network into a digital voice-and-data communications system. Huckabee said the test counties _ Miller, Lonoke and Craighead _ will be equipped in the initial phase so any bugs encountered can be fixed before the state’s other 72 counties join the network.
Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson last month announced a $28.8 million grant that will help pay for AWIN. Huckabee said the state will issue revenue bonds to help pay for full development of the system; the total overall cost is unknown.
State Emergency Management Director Wayne Ruthven said each county will be given funds to buy its own user-end equipment, which must be digital and operate on 700-800 megahertz channels.
Many local agencies already piggyback on the existing, analog state police radio network. Still, Huckabee said, emergency workers use more than 200 different radio systems in Arkansas _ few of them compatible.
There also are “dead zones” where the current network doesn’t work, Huckabee said, prompting state troopers to carry their personal cell phones in case they need backup in those isolated areas.
The governor said the need for a statewide interoperable communications system was demonstrated when tornados hit in 1997 and during the 2000 ice storm.
The state police director, Col. Don Melton, agreed and said the hodgepodge of communication systems makes it difficult to coordinate between agencies, each with its own job. He said that can slow response times in emergencies.
“Almost everything we do, without exception, we’re involved with other first responders,” he said.