Information Technology staff updated the City Council Monday on plans to upgrade the City’s phone system and land/mobile radio communications system.
The phone project seeks to cut costs, replace analog circuits that are approaching “end of life,” and increase capacity for external phone and internet services (the City Hall fire damaged equipment and diminished capacity).
The land/mobile radio system, with 885 radios distributed among several departments including Police, Fire, Public Services, Parks, Traffic and Fleet, is more than 10 years old and is also reaching its end of life and “end of support.” Plans for its replacement include incorporating Fire Station Alerting technology, which provides automated dispatch (including opening fire station bay doors and starting a timer) to expedite incident response times. The radios are integrated not only among City of Richardson departments, but also with agencies in 14 surrounding cities.
After finalizing design/layout plans and completing contract negotiations, the upgrades are expected to be given final City Council consideration in April/May.
