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As these issues were brought forth, the phrase of `radio interoperability' became a <br />buzzword for different emergency response disciplines being able to communicate more <br />effectively. Digital technology is more adaptable to interoperability issues than analog <br />technology. The State of Texas has adopted a state-wide interoperability plan which <br />focuses on all radio equipment used in Texas and how homeland security grant money is <br />spent when it comes to radio interoperability. The plan requires that all radio equipment <br />purchased with grant money be P25 compliant and that all radio systems will be digital by <br />2015. <br />P-25 Compliant Radio Equipment <br />Project 25 (P25) was initiated collaboratively by public safety agencies and manufacturers <br />to address the issue with emergency communication systems. P25 is collaborative project <br />to ensure that two-way radios are interoperable. The goal of P25 is to enable public safety <br />responders to communicate with each other and, thus, achieve enhanced coordination, <br />timely response, and efficient and effective use of communications equipment. P25 Radios <br />are digital instead of analog. <br />The City of Paris Radio System <br />Most all of the radio frequencies used by the various city departments are in the 400 MHz <br />UHF band. We have already applied for and received the narrow band frequency licenses <br />for these frequencies. <br />Of the 8 repeaters in use by all the city departments, only 3 are narrow band capable. All <br />the radios in use by EMS are able to be programmed to the narrow band frequencies. Only a <br />few radios in use by the police and fire are not capable to be programmed to the new <br />frequencies. Many of the radios in use by other city departments are not programmable to <br />the new frequencies. <br />There are many radios in public works which need to be replaced because of age or being <br />obsolete with no replacement parts available. <br />The Problem <br />Since many of the public works radios, repeaters and a few other radios in the police and <br />fire departments are not narrow band capable, new radios which are capable of being <br />programmed for narrow banding need to be purchased. <br />At the same time, any radio purchased now that is not a digital or P25 compliant radio will <br />have to be replaced by 2015, which would be a waste of money. To transition to a digital <br />radio system in one step would be a huge expense. An estimate compiled using list prices <br />would be in the neighborhood of $571,058.50. <br />51 <br />