Schools briefed on Chesco radio upgrades

Posted by Press Release on November 20, 2015

Chester County schools superintendents met with the county commissioners and Chester County Director of Emergency Services Bobby Kagel last week to receive an update on the progress and capabilities of the new emergency radio system being installed throughout the county.

At the briefing, held at the Chester County Intermediate Unit offices on Boot Road in Downingtown, the commissioners noted that the installation of the $42.1 million Harris Corporation radio system was completed earlier this year, and extensive testing of equipment and radio coverage has been fully undertaken, revealing 99.8 percent portable, on-street coverage county-wide. This exceeds the 97 percent coverage guarantee provided by Harris Corporation, a county press release said.

To ensure that all schools – public and private – have adequate radio coverage inside, as well as outside each building, the county is offering district superintendents the services of a telecom consultant to visit every school to conduct an interior signal strength test.

“This radio system upgrade is a real investment in the safety of our citizens and our emergency responders, and we’re pleased with the test results for coverage county-wide. The radio signal strength test that we’re offering will determine whether or not a school district needs to take measures to extend the radio coverage inside school buildings, should the emergency radio coverage be less than 90 percent,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell.

Early in October, the commissioners joined administrators, township officials and first responders to tour and test the emergency radio coverage at Pickering Valley Elementary School in Upper Uwchlan Township. The “can you hear me now” test process confirmed excellent voice radio coverage throughout the interior of the school as well as the exterior.

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone pointed out that “just like the leaders of every school district, we are particularly concerned about the safety of our children, which is why our Department of Emergency Services provides a Safe Schools coordinator, and why we are offering the testing service.” Commissioner Michelle Kichline added that she hoped the districts would respond by installing “any amplifiers that may be needed in schools for interior emergency radio coverage.”

Chester County’s emergency responders will begin using the new emergency voice radio system on January 4, 2016, and by April 21, 2016 the analogue equipment that has been in use since 1995 will no longer be used.