Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications

Communications Projects

---

 

Current Projects 2020-2024

 

REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM

 

- 2020-2022 - Planning and procuring 700MHz radio system to serve Accomack and Northampton County fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.

 

- 2023-2024 - The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) 9-1-1 Commission, on behalf of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton, has awarded a contract for the design, implementation, delivery, and maintenance of 700 MHz P25 Phase 2 public safety radio system to L3Harris Technologies, Inc.  The commission approved the contract award on December 22, 2022, and its Chairman executed the contract documents following the Commission’s special meeting.  Implementation is in progress.

 

- 2023-2024 - The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) 9-1-1 Commission, on behalf of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton, requested proposals to implement a connectivity network to support the planned 700 MHz P25 Phase 2 public safety radio system. The network will provide connectivity between the planned five (5) RF sites, and four (4) dispatch centers, for a total of nine (9) site locations. Each connectivity link must be a minimum of 100 Mbps and meet all requirements listed in the request for proposals. It is expected that the connectivity network will be designed in a ring topology or monitored hot-standby spurs, providing redundant paths to/from each RF site and dispatch center. Proposals are under evaluation.

________________________________________

 

CALL HANDLING EQUIPMENT UPGRADE

 

- 2021-2022 – Replaced and upgraded 9-1-1 Center call handling equipment.

 

Completed Projects 2017-18

- April 2017 - Using mobile radios provided by the City of Newport News, contracted with Gately Communications for programming and installations of radios on Northampton County ambulances to allow ambulance to hospital communications to hospitals in the cities across the bay (when units are transporting to a city hospital).

- June 2018 - Conversion of the VHF antenna at the Townsend site to a VHF/UHF antenna system, with the addition of a UHF receiver to support NCSO radio communications (talk-back).

- October 2018 - Implementation of a fifth transmitter for the EMS Operations Channel (part of simulcast channel) at the Chincoteague communications tower; designed to improve talk-out coverage in northern Accomack County (funding primarily with state RSAF grant funds and some local funding).

- 2017/2018 - New generators installed at the ACSO, Chincoteague, and Cape Charles communications towers (to provide emergency back-up support during commercial power failure).

 

Completed Project 2016

 

CALL HANDLING EQUIPMENT TO FACILITATE THE HANDLING AND PROCESSING OF EMERGENCY CALLS

 

The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission contracted with Motorola Solutions to install a reliable and system-stable solution to facilitate the handling and processing of emergency calls to its regional 9-1-1 public safety answering point (PSAP) designated as the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center.  Motorola installed its Emergency CallWorks solution in September 2016.  The system provides telephony and other call handling solutions including integrated mapping.

Request for Proposals - #911-16-001 Emergency Call Handling Equipment  - Contract Awarded to Motorola Solutions, Inc.

RFP Statement of Work / Specifications - Emergency Call Handling Equipment

Additionally, new telephones utilizing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) were installed to support Emergency Operations Center functions.  That system is provided and supported by Eastern Shore communications, a local internet and telephone vendor located in Cape Charles. 

 

Completed Project 2014-2015

SIMULCAST COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT

·       SIMULCAST DISPATCH CHANNEL S1

·       SIMULCAST EMS OPERATIONS CHANNEL S2

The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission placed a simulcast radio system for F1 (Rescue Dispatch) in operation during June 2015.  The system allows transmitters at multiple sites to be keyed simultaneously to deliver dispatch traffic shore-wide.  Previously, three separate transmitters were used based on the geographic location of the call.  When simulcasted, dispatches and radio messages cover all areas; incidents in multiple geographic areas do not have to be replicated.  Additionally, the Commission deployed a simulcast EMS operations channel that moveS EMS radio transmissions from the dispatch channel during July 2015.  The EMS Operations channel utilizes multiple repeaters to broadcast 9-1-1 radio traffic and rebroadcast field communications shore-wide.  As the EMS Operations channel was readied for operations, field radios were reprogrammed. 

Atlantic Communications was awarded the contract to provide, deliver, install, and integrate the new simulcast dispatch radio system and perform related tasks. 

 

Completed Projects 2011-2013

NORTHAMPTON-ACCOMACK PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT (NAPSCOM):

·       UPGRADED F1 TRANSMITTER AT MAPPSVILLE:  INCREASED TRANSMIT POWER FOR THE DISPATCHING RADIO TO 250W TO EXPAND PAGING COVERAGE.  (OCT 2013)

·       SYSTEMWIDE NARROWBANDING AND RADIO REFRESH.  SYSTEM NARROWBANDING COMPLETED DECEMBER 2012.  COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE WORKGROUP (CIW) SET STANDARDS AND COORDINATED PLANS.  RCC CONSULTANTS, INC., PROVIDING CONSULTING SERVICES TO COMMISSION AND CIW; RADIOS SELECTED FOR PURCHASE UNDER GRANT, SUMMER 2012; AGENCY ORDERS OF FIELD RADIOS RECEIVED AND PROCUREMENT COMPLETED THROUGH DELMARVA TWO-WAY RADIO, INC., SUMMER/FALL 2012; INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT RADIOS AND SYSTEM UPGRADES COMPLETED BY ATLANTIC COMMUNICATIONS, FALL 2012; BROADBAND BACKBONE IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING IN BETA STAGE. TOWER WORK COMPLETED AT SOME SITES AND IN PROGRESS AT OTHERS. 

·       PROGRAMMED, INSTALLED, AND PLACED IN SERVICE 265 NEW MOBILE RADIOS:  154 MOBILES, VHF, FIRE-EMS.  53 MOBILES, UHF, LAW ENFORCEMENT.  18 MOBILES, VHF, SCHOOLS.  40 MOBILES, VHF, SCHOOLS (PRIOR PURCHASE BY ACPS) ALSO INSTALLED.  (OCT-DEC 2012)

·       PROGRAMMED, DISTRIBUTED, AND PLACED IN SERVICE 383 NEW PORTABLE RADIOS:  260 PORTABLES, VHF, FIRE-EMS.  123 PORTABLES, UHF, LAW ENFORCEMENT.  (NOV-DEC 2012)

·       REPROGRAMMED, NARROWBANDED, AND UPDATED CHANNEL PLANS FOR 219 LEGACY RADIOS WHICH WERE NOT REPLACED BY NEW RADIOS:  46 MOBILE AND 173 PORTABLE RADIOS.    THIS INCLUDED FIRE-EMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCHOOLS, AND HEALTH.  IMPLEMENTED MDC-1200 ENCODING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.  (DEC 2012; PROGRAMMING UPDATES JAN 2013)

·       NARROWBANDED 523 FIRE-EMS MINITOR V PAGERS.  (DEC 2012)

PROJECT 11:

·       RELOCATE SELECTED RADIOS FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TOWER AT ACCOMACK SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO STARS TOWER ACCOMAC.  SIRS, 800 MHz NPSPAC.  INSTALLATION OPTIONS TO BE DETERMINED BY FUTURE SYSTEM NEEDS AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE WORKGROUP (CIW). 

 

Projects Completed 2011

 

PROJECT 15 

·       An additional call taking position with full 9-1-1 capabilities was added in the supervisor’s office to permit expanded telephone processing operations when warranted.  9-1-1 telephone system software was upgraded for all positions.  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 16 

·       A third MCC5500 communications console was added to expand operational capabilities for radio dispatch in the communications center.  MCC5500 software was upgraded in conjunction with the installation.  NOW ACTIVE.

 

Projects Completed 2009 - 2010

 

PROJECT 1:  This project provided for reception of talk-around traffic in the northern and southern Accomack tactical zones. 

·     F3 RECEIVE ENHANCEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS DISPATCH AND RECORDING:  Added voting receiver at Mappsville for talkaround frequency for F3.  911 Center will receive voted audio from either Accomac control station receiver or Mappsville voted receiver (repeater output and talkaround voted).  NOW ACTIVE.

·     F7 RECEIVE ENHANCEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS DISPATCH AND RECORDING:  Added voting receiver at Craddockville for talkaround frequency for F7.  911 Center will receive voted audio from either Accomac control station receiver or Craddockville voted receiver (repeater output and talkaround voted).  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 3:  This project expanded the mobile and portable talkback range for the subject repeaters and enhanced reception through voting of multiple receive sites. 

·     F7 RADIO SYSTEM UPGRADE FOR FIRE/EMS (MOBILE INPUT TO REPEATER):  Installed comparator at F7 repeater in Belle Haven, installed SQM's, connected receiver, connected remote receiver circuit, calibrated, tested, activated.  Replaced site antenna 2/11/09.  NOW ACTIVE.

·     F3 RADIO SYSTEM UPGRADE FOR FIRE/EMS (MOBILE INPUT TO REPEATER):  Installed comparator at F3 repeater in Mappsville, installed SQM's, connected receiver, connected remote receiver circuits, calibrated, tested, activated.  NOW ACTIVE.

·     INSTALLED REMOTE VOTING RECEIVERS FOR F3 AND F7:   Installed voting receivers at the VSP STARS tower site in Accomac.  Connected to provided antenna ports and to telephone circuits for routing to repeaters at Belle Haven and Mappsville.  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 4:  This project expanded the mobile and portable talkback range for F1 and F11 (dispatch reception only) and F3 (repeater input), and enhance reception through voting of multiple receive sites.

·       IMPROVED 911 CENTER RECEPTION OF F1 RESCUE DISPATCH AND F11 TACTICAL FROM NORTHERNMOST ACCOMACK COUNTY:   Installed voting receiver for F1 AND F11 at NAVY tower, Wallops Flight Facility, in northern Accomack County.  Antenna installed.  NOW ACTIVE.

·       F3 RADIO SYSTEM UPGRADED FOR FIRE/EMS (MOBILE INPUT TO REPEATER) FROM NORTHERNMOST ACCOMACK COUNTY:   Installed voting receiver for F3 at NAVY tower, Wallops Flight Facility, in northern Accomack County.  Antenna installed.  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 5:  Resolved reception of foreign traffic on F5 repeater output frequency.  For long-term resolution, CIW will need to consider reprogramming/licensing options resulting from shared channel usage.

·     F5 RECEIVE ENHANCEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS DISPATCH AND RECORDING:  Resolved reception of foreign traffic on repeater output frequency/PL.  Rewired repeater for direct control rather than by control station.  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 7:  A paging transmitter was installed at Mappsville in May for interim use and systems testing, and is now active for use.  Required approval by Infrastructure Work Group and other entities. 

·       Improved Paging Output in Northernmost Accomack County:  Added F1 Base Station or Repeater in northern Accomack County to support paging coverage in northernmost part of County.  NOW ACTIVE.

PROJECT 10:  Establish back-up systems for radios and telephones (9-1-1 Center).

·       PROCURE AND INSTALL BACKUP REMOTE TO ALLOW PAGING AND BASIC COMMUNICATIONS IN EVENT OF MCC5500 FAILURE.  Primary channel controls for F1 and F2, perhaps additional channels. NOW ACTIVE. 

·       INSTALL BACKUP TELEPHONES AND/OR RADIOS AT OFFSITE BACKUP LOCATIONS.  NOW ACTIVE. 

PROJECT 11:

·       REPLACED SELECTED WIDEBAND EMS VHF (T55R) AND UHF MED RADIOS AT ACCOMAC (RSAF GRANT).  New radios installed at STARS Accomac.  NOW ACTIVE. 

PROJECT 12:  This project expanded the receive footprint and added additional reception range for portable reception by the 911 Center for F12.

·     F12 RECEIVE ENHANCEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS DISPATCH AND RECORDING – MAPPSVILLE RECEIVE SITE:  Reprogrammed new voting receiver to receive frequency for F12 and for SpectraTac operation.  Installed in existing cabinet at Mappsville, connected antenna port to VHF multicoupler, connected to Verizon telephone circuit at site, connected circuit in 911 Center to comparator/SQM for F12 on wall at ESVA911.  Center will receive voted audio from either Accomac, Cheriton, Mappsville, or Craddockville voted receivers.   Changes from voting two sites to voting four sites.  NOW ACTIVE, BUT RECEIVING SOME FOREIGN TRAFFIC ON DEDICATED CTCSS SYSTEM.

·     F12 RECEIVE ENHANCEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS DISPATCH AND RECORDING - CRADDOCKVILLE RECEIVE SITE:  Reprogrammed new voting receiver to receive frequency for F12 and for SpectraTac operation.  Installed in existing cabinet at Mappsville, connected antenna port to VHF multicoupler, connected to Verizon telephone circuit at site, connected circuit in 911 Center to comparator/SQM for F12 on wall at ESVA911.  Center will receive voted audio from either Accomac, Cheriton, Mappsville, or Craddockville voted receivers.   Changes from voting two sites to voting four sites.  NOW ACTIVE, BUT RECEIVING SOME FOREIGN TRAFFIC ON DEDICATED CTCSS SYSTEM.

PROJECT 13:

·       PROCURE AND INSTALL EMS MED RADIO FOR NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.  NOW ACTIVE; MED 8 (UHF CHANNEL PLAN CHANNEL 28). 

PROJECT 14:

·       RELOCATED VHF LEGACY RADIO AT CHERITON FROM OLD VSP TOWER TO STARS TOWER (EASTVILLE/CHERITON).  Converted link to all microwave for circuits from Cheriton to Accomac.  NOW ACTIVE. 

                      

P3210111                                      Projects Completed 2006-2008

§  Upgraded 9-1-1 Telephone System (Plant VESTA®)

§  Installed Monitoring System for Northampton Fire/EMS Repeater System (Zetron)

§  Installed New HVAC System for Dispatch Center and Equipment Room

§  Installed New Communications Console Furniture (Xybix Dispatch Furniture)

§  Created Systems Equipment Room; Relocated Various 9-1-1 Systems Equipment

§  Installed and Implemented New Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System (Sungard HTE/OSSI)

§  Developed and Installed ESVA911 InfoBoard for Dispatch Bulletins

§  Installed New Radio Communications Consoles (Motorola MCC5500)

§  Installed Synchronized Time Management (SpectraCom NetClock)

§  Placed 3 New Repeaters in Service (Accomack Tactical Operations)

 

 

---

2007 Fire & EMS Communications System Upgrade and Frequency Plan

Accomack County Repeaters

      Three (3) Repeaters Acquired and Licensed; Capable of Adding Voting Receivers

      Repeaters Receive on One Freq (Input) and Transmit on Another Freq (Output); thus Mobile and Portable Traffic is Rebroadcast by the Repeater (High Power & Antenna Height); Duplex

      “Talk-around” Mode Bypasses the Repeater But Uses the Output Frequency; Simplex

Planned Repeater Locations

Frequency Uses

      Channels used as Fire Response and Primary Fire/EMS Tactical Channel By Zone (Pre-assigned)

      If Second Incident Requiring Tactical Channel Occurs in Same Zone, Use Alternate Simplex or Repeater Tact Channel

      Tactical Channels Used for MVA’s (Repeater Channels)

Channel Assignment Plan

      F1  - RESCUE DISPATCH – ACCOMACK

      Also Serves as Northampton Rescue Talkaround

      F2  - RESCUE DISPATCH - NORTHAMPTON RPTR

      F3  - NORTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS  - REPEATER         

      F4  - NORTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS  - TALKAROUND

      F5  - CENTRAL ACCOMACK FIRE OPS  - REPEATER

      F6  - CENTRAL ACCOMACK FIRE OPS - TALKAROUND

      F7  - SOUTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS - REPEATER

      F8  - SOUTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS – TALKAROUND

      F9  - NORTHAMPTON FIRE OPERATIONS - RPTR

      F10- NORTHAMPTON FIRE OPS – TALKAROUND

      F11 - TACTICAL OPERATIONS 1- All Zones

      Serves as Secondary Fire/EMS Ops

      Serves as voice EMS Operations Channel for Accomack (moves voice traffic from F1) (REVERTED)

      F12 - TACTICAL OPERATIONS 2 - All Zones

      Serves as Secondary Fire/EMS Ops

      F13 - MOBILE/PORTABLE FIELD OPERATIONS

      Mobile to Mobile Tactical Ops, i.e., Water Shuttles

      Station Special Event Communications (Portables)

      F13 - TIDEWATER H.E.A.R. (AMBULANCES ONLY)

      F14 - STATEWIDE EMS MUTUAL

      F15 - CHINCOTEAGUE FIRE/EMS RPTR

      F16 - CHINCOTEAGUE FIRE/EMS TALKAROUND

      Channel May Alternatively Be Used for Private FD Frequencies

Monitoring

If you wish to monitor the repeater output frequencies, the frequencies are as follows:

F3  - NORTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS  - REPEATER 154.340 MHz

F5  - CENTRAL ACCOMACK FIRE OPS  - REPEATER      154.055 MHz

F7  - SOUTH ACCOMACK FIRE OPS – REPEATER          153.875 MHz

Recommended and Supported Mobiles and Portables

      Mobiles 45W, 16 Frequency Minimum

     GM300, CDM1250  (MDC1200 Signaling)

      Portables 5W, 16 Frequency Minimum

     HT1000, HT750, HT1250, CP200, Some Kenwood Models (MDC1200 or Equivalent Signaling required; Quik-Call II for Paging optional)

     Be Sure Batteries Are In Good Condition

      3-Digit Date Code on Motorola Batteries – “YWW” where Y equals year and WW equals week… i.e., 425 equals 25th week of 2004… batteries 3-5 years old are candidates for replacement if not functioning well

     9-1-1 Commission Can Order HT1000 Batteries at Discounted Price

      All New Radios Need to Be Narrowband Capable

      New Interim Radio Standards Published February 10, 2009 (See Communications Manual Appendix O)

---

 

Other Projects

      Acquired 800 MHz control station to support interoperability with Worcester and Somerset Counties, and to allow link with Maryland’s MESIN network… to become operational as part of interoperability solutions

      Acquired and installed 800MHz NPSPAC Repeaters to support interoperability with Worcester County and other 800 MHz system users… to become operational as part of interoperability solutions

      Engineering relocation of various radios and antennas; upgrading existing sites as necessary

      Studying additional interoperability solutions (L. R. Kimball provided consulting services)

---

 

2009-14 Planning for the Future

      Studied potential to establish and operate one or more dedicated EMS Response channel(s) to allow EMS units to communicate on a channel other than the channel used for paging and alerting.  Activated F11 for this purpose in Accomack County on February 1, 2009, but later reverted.

 
---

 

Copyright 2008-2023, Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission

 

 

 

This Page Last Updated July 2, 2023