What do the cities of Biloxi. MS, Boston, MA, and Hampshire, IL have in common? The answer is that they all have fire communications enhancement ordinances. These ordinances require building owners to provide equipment necessary to provide effective in-building 2-way coverage for public safety radios used on the premises. The reason is simple. Firefighter radios should work inside buildings, not only for operational efficiency but for the safety of the first responders.
The ordinances enacted by the cities are simple and to the point. An example is available at www.info4u.us/ordinance.pdf. If first responder radios do not work with 95% efficiency within the building, the building owner (not the taxpayers) is required to install whatever is necessary to provide a solution. The most common solution, although not the only solution, is known as a bi-directional amplifier.
In building coverage tends to be most associated with 800 MHz radio systems, and to a lesser extent, UHF radio systems, although VHF is not immune to the problem.
If you are a public safety official, a concerned citizen, or a first responder, and you would like to know more about enhancing in-building coverage, give us a call at 800.489.2611. We would welcome the opportunity to be of service. In the meantime, you might want to take a look at the increasing number of cities that are taking the necessary steps to increase safety for their first responders. A partial listing is available at www.info4u.us/safebuildings.pdf.
