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Achieving Communications Interoperability in Central Virginia: The COMLINC Project

NCJ Number
226530
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 75 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 88-91
Author(s)
H. Wayne Duff Jr.; Gil Armendariz
Date Published
December 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the Lynchburg and Roanoke metropolitan service areas' (MSAs) continued effort to enhance the effectiveness of public safety communication interoperability in Central Virginia.
Abstract
Interoperability enables agencies to work together toward a common goal, and the main focus of this concept for the law enforcement community is in communications. The interoperability solution allows for more efficient and effective communication in an emergency or critical incident involving multiple jurisdictions or disciplines regardless of the radios issued to the first responders. However, the design and implementation of a communications system that provides seamless interoperability among agencies with disparate equipment can be quite complicated. This article discusses the development, by the Lynchburg and Roanoke metropolitan services areas (MSAs), of the Virginia Commonwealth Link Interoperability Communications (COMLINC) system, slated for completion in 2008. The major benefit of the COMLINC system is that it uses existing radio systems. Connections between counties are made using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The Lynchburg and Roanoke MSAs continue to upgrade their respective radio systems as well as the SyTech Corporation’s Radio Inter-Operability System (RIOS) itself to maintain voice, data, and video interoperability in the future. 3 figures and 1 note