Interesting Desert Sun story
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:15 pm
Indio joins ‘ERICA'
Cities to purchase emergency system
By Xochitl Peña • The Indio Sun • July 25, 2008
Indio is joining forces with three other valley cities to establish a communications system that will allow all police and fire agencies involved to stay in contact.
Currently, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs police departments use radio systems on different frequencies and cannot talk to each other directly.
A Joint Powers Agreement will be formed between the four cities — which all operate their own police departments — to create the Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority, also known as ERICA.
This will help plans move forward for the new communications system hoped to be in operation as early as September 2009.
“We believe by moving to this technology you'll have better response, better communication — better communication that translates to saving lives,” said Indio police Capt. Richard Banasiak.
The authority would own the equipment — a digital 800 MHZ Interoperable system — that puts portable radios in the hands of all participants, including fire and police personnel and public works department employees.
The system will allow the four cities to connect to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's new system.
Banasiak said the system is expected to cost $16 million to $20 million.
Cities to purchase emergency system
By Xochitl Peña • The Indio Sun • July 25, 2008
Indio is joining forces with three other valley cities to establish a communications system that will allow all police and fire agencies involved to stay in contact.
Currently, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs police departments use radio systems on different frequencies and cannot talk to each other directly.
A Joint Powers Agreement will be formed between the four cities — which all operate their own police departments — to create the Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority, also known as ERICA.
This will help plans move forward for the new communications system hoped to be in operation as early as September 2009.
“We believe by moving to this technology you'll have better response, better communication — better communication that translates to saving lives,” said Indio police Capt. Richard Banasiak.
The authority would own the equipment — a digital 800 MHZ Interoperable system — that puts portable radios in the hands of all participants, including fire and police personnel and public works department employees.
The system will allow the four cities to connect to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's new system.
Banasiak said the system is expected to cost $16 million to $20 million.