The country’s new interoperable
communication system is now fully operational across all Islands.

As part of the Cayman Islands
Government’s ongoing commitment to deliver the highest standard of
public safety services, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that
the country’s new interoperable communication system is now fully
operational across all three Islands.

The upgrade from the former 800
Megahertz radio system to the new, modern, Motorola P25 Public Safety
Radio Communications System has integrated all public safety radio
users on a common platform to enable greater inter-agency
collaboration and facilitate more effective and efficient responses.

The mission-critical radio system, its
infrastructure and accompanying accessories have been successfully
implemented at sites in the Government Administration Building, the
Citrus Grove Building, Radio Cayman, Northward, Frank Sound, East
End, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac East.

One of the essential requirements for
the country-wide infrastructure improvement project was to address
the long-standing gaps in coverage.

As a result, three new radio frequency
sites in West Bay, Frank Sound and in the West End of Cayman Brac
were identified for brand new installation locations of the P25 radio
system hardware, thereby ensuring seamless communications.

The Department of Public Safety
Communications (DPSC), who is responsible for the public safety radio
communications system, officially opened the new West Bay Public
Safety Radio Communication Bunker during a ceremony on Wednesday, 13
February 2019.

The Minister with Constitutional
responsibility for Home Affairs, Hon. Tara Rivers, JP, MLA, other
Government dignitaries and public safety representatives gathered at
the new radio bunker to see the most modern radio system for public
safety and emergency communication in the region, in action.

"In keeping with this Government’s
stated objective to build stronger, safer communities and provide
support for the most vulnerable within the Cayman Islands, as part of
the 2018-2019 Strategic Policy Statement, today’s opening ceremony
marks the achievement of the critical goal of enhanced capability and
interoperability for all first responder agencies,” Minister Rivers
said. “The investment in this country-wide project clearly
demonstrates the Government’s commitment to promoting a safer and
more resilient Cayman Islands.”

DPSC commenced the installation phase
of the upgrade programme late last year, starting in the Sister
Islands.

DPSC Director, Julian Lewis, said
“changes in our Islands’ infrastructure, such as the increase in
building heights and capacity, created challenges for the performance
of the original radio system.”

“As part of our mission to improve
the indoor and outdoor coverage for radio users, a study of the
buildings and locations, with important information on radio site
placement, was provided to the radio project team in order to ensure
the selection of optimal locations for additional and new radio
repeater sites,” he explained. “The system testing and radio user
reports have confirmed that the installation of hardware at the three
new locations provides excellent radio coverage, that’s stronger
than ever before, stretching to all part of the Islands.”

Mr. Lewis said a substantial amount of
work has been done to successfully imbed the new technology.

“Communication and the ability to
access information quickly have a direct impact on how first
responders execute their missions,” he explained. “This upgrade
will play an essential role in enhancing service delivery, shortening
response times in emergency situations, and efficiently
interconnecting all first responders to respond to any type of
emergency or large-scale event.”

All public safety agencies have begun
replacing their current hand-held radio units with the new
next-generation technology, with around 1,000 radios being handed out
to first responders during the initial roll-out.

DPSC conducted several critical
training sessions with first responder agencies to customise the
functionality of their radios, and to ensure effective operational
use.

Minister Rivers concluded: “I would
like to sincerely thank all of our partners for their help in
identifying efficiencies, streamlining processes and providing world
class customer service to all of our Public Safety partners. Now,
with most modern radio system for public safety and emergency
communication in the Caribbean, first responders are better equipped
than ever before to serve and protect the people of the Cayman
Islands, residents and visitors alike.

The Ministry of Home Affairs signed the
agreement with Motorola Solutions on 14 December 2017.