Background
Originally formed as the Stafford Township First Aid Squad in 1951, Stafford Township EMS provides emergency medical services to an area of approximately 47 square miles. The squad is made up of all volunteers who respond to emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, participation in continuing education training allows them to acquire the necessary skills to provide the highest level of care. Using an analog system for its emergency communications, department personnel were experiencing numerous issues, such as lack of range, dropped signals, and poor audio quality.
User
Stafford EMS, Manahawkin, New Jersey, USA
Market Segment
Government
Project Time
2014
Product
RD98X Repeaters
PD78XG Portable Radios
MD78XG Mobile Radios
The Challenge
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A neighboring EMS that was already using Hytera equipment loaned the Stafford Township EMS two portables, as well as use of the DMR system for several months. Extremely impressed with the results, Stafford also opted for the DMR communication system, purchasing most of the components from Hytera dealer TTG Communications. The department is currently using the RD98X DMR Repeater, and a number of mobile and portable radios (MD78XG and PD78XG).
The RD98X is an open-standard DMR repeater capable of being connected via the internet to multiple sites. The MD78XG and PD78XG radios are compliant to IP specifications, deliver optimum performance in challenging emergency situations. A combination of narrowband codec, digital error-correction, and AGC technologies provide clear communications and broader coverage. -
As part of the modernization program, the Bureau wanted to upgrade the communication and incident recording solutions available to customs staff. It wanted to implement a body worn camera (BWC) system to provide daily recordings and real time viewing capabilities.
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The BWC solution was needed to capture video evidence, so the footage could be used to review incidents. BOC also wanted to deploy BWCs at ports throughout the Philippine archipelago to enhance its monitoring activities.
The Solution
The increased capacity provided by the Hytera DMR 2 slot TDMA system has allowed the Stafford County EMS to keep most of its prior existing infrastructure intact. This eliminates the need for additional repeaters, duplexers, power supplies, feedlines, and antennas, resulting in significant cost savings.
Because the DMR system cannot be readily decoded or monitored, Stafford EMS has increased the security of their communications. The advanced encryption algorithms offered by the Hytera DMR system provide quiet, secure communications with both the MD78XG and PD78XG radios.
Implementation of the Hytera DMR system has resulted in improved voice quality throughout the coverage area, as opposed to the static, high noise and otherwise unusable signals that were encountered with the previous analog system. The Stafford EMS facility is surrounded by protected wildlands, and when rescues occur in those wooded areas, the enhanced voice quality provided by digital technology and the IP67-rated water protection is especially critical.
The multiple talkgroups feature streamlines communications between EMS personnel when large or multiple events occur simultaneously. Primary EMS operations are assigned to one group, while secondary talkgroups are assigned for each event.