County upgrades first responder communication system

A two-year, $7 million project upgrading Shelby County’s public safety radio system was recently completed, enhancing all first responder communication capabilities.

The project was a joint effort between the Shelby County Commission, the county’s municipalities and the Shelby County Emergency Management Communication District (Shelby County 911), with funding assistance from the Shelby County Health Foundation.

The upgrade, which began in 2016 and was finalized in January, was greatly needed so the county’s 28 fire departments and 14 law enforcement agencies can better serve the public, said Alan Campbell, Shelby County 911 executive director.

“Prior to the upgrade, those departments were using different radio systems and had limited ability to talk to each other,” Campbell said. “So, say you’re in a car chase, the sheriff’s office and the city of Pelham police couldn’t communicate. And not only weren’t they able to communicate, they often had poor radio coverage and, in some cases, responders had to use their personal cellphones or citizen’s home phones.”

According to Campbell, who has served in his position for nine years, the different county entities’ efforts resulted in joining the Birmingham Metropolitan Radio System, and more than 2,300 new radios were issued to all Shelby County first responders, including volunteers.

“Now that that’s complete, every first responder is on the same system, and all can talk to each other, plus Birmingham’s fire and police and those of Hoover, too,” Campbell said. “It took two years, but we now have every public safety agency in Shelby County on the same system and can communicate anywhere in the county.”

Another project officials are anticipating is Shelby County’s participation in the Alabama Next Generation Emergency Network, or ANGEN, Campbell said.

While the start-up date has not been determined, Campbell said being part of the statewide update of 911 centers will mean that communications will be fiber optic-based rather than use traditional telephone lines.

“It will allow us to receive pictures, videos and text messages in real time, as well as receive notifications from cars when they crash and accurate locations of cellphones, including addresses and whatever floor of a building the phone is located on,” he said. “In addition, in case of an emergency, our calls can quickly be moved to and received by a neighbor 911 center.”

The cost of the project will be covered by the Alabama 911 Board, and funds will be from 911 phone fees, he said.

Campbell called the improvements to the state 911 technology, which was developed in the 1970s and 1980s, “an evolution.”

“It gives up the underlying system we need to handle all technology that will come about eventually,” he said. “We know we’ll have to be able to respond to the public in all ways they expect and use to communicate.”