The Town of New Canaan has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its emergency communication capabilities. Russ Kimes from the Office of Emergency Management received approval from the Board of Selectmen to enter into a groundbreaking license agreement. This agreement will connect New Canaan’s first responder radios to the State of Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network, administered by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection (DESPP).
The license agreement will allow compatible first responder radios, particularly those used by the fire department but also police and other units, to be programmed with frequencies used by neighboring towns already connected to the state’s radio network. This seamless integration ensures that New Canaan remains on the cutting edge of emergency response capabilities, strengthening its coordination with neighboring communities such as Norwalk and Stamford, who have already adopted the state system.
This seamless integration ensures that New Canaan remains on the cutting edge of emergency response capabilities, strengthening its coordination with neighboring communities.
Kimes, who played a pivotal role in securing this agreement, emphasized the importance of this technological advancement. He stated, “The way to think of radios nowadays is like software. Just as with software licenses, you need a license to connect to the system. This agreement with the state essentially grants us the license to connect our radios, enabling seamless communication with other emergency services.”
Importantly, this license agreement does not replace New Canaan’s current public radio system. It serves as a complementary solution, allowing for greater interoperability and cooperation with other municipalities in the region. The town remains committed to its existing infrastructure while also exploring the potential benefits of transitioning to the state system in the future.
While the transition to the state radio network presents numerous advantages, including improved communication and coordination during emergencies, it also entails significant capital investments. The shift would require the purchase of entirely new hardware to operate on a different frequency band. New Canaan officials are closely monitoring the experiences of neighboring towns, particularly Wilton, as they make the transition to the state system, learning from any challenges or mistakes encountered along the way.
