The country’s new interoperable communication system is now fully operational across all Islands.

As part of the Cayman Islands Government’s ongoing commitment to deliver the highest standard of public safety services, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the country’s new interoperable communication system is now fully operational across all three Islands.

The upgrade from the former 800 Megahertz radio system to the new, modern, Motorola P25 Public Safety Radio Communications System has integrated all public safety radio users on a common platform to enable greater inter-agency collaboration and facilitate more effective and efficient responses.

The mission-critical radio system, its infrastructure and accompanying accessories have been successfully implemented at sites in the Government Administration Building, the Citrus Grove Building, Radio Cayman, Northward, Frank Sound, East End, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac East.

One of the essential requirements for the country-wide infrastructure improvement project was to address the long-standing gaps in coverage.

As a result, three new radio frequency sites in West Bay, Frank Sound and in the West End of Cayman Brac were identified for brand new installation locations of the P25 radio system hardware, thereby ensuring seamless communications.

The Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC), who is responsible for the public safety radio communications system, officially opened the new West Bay Public Safety Radio Communication Bunker during a ceremony on Wednesday, 13 February 2019.

The Minister with Constitutional responsibility for Home Affairs, Hon. Tara Rivers, JP, MLA, other Government dignitaries and public safety representatives gathered at the new radio bunker to see the most modern radio system for public safety and emergency communication in the region, in action.

“In keeping with this Government’s stated objective to build stronger, safer communities and provide support for the most vulnerable within the Cayman Islands, as part of the 2018-2019 Strategic Policy Statement, today’s opening ceremony marks the achievement of the critical goal of enhanced capability and interoperability for all first responder agencies,” Minister Rivers said. “The investment in this country-wide project clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to promoting a safer and more resilient Cayman Islands.”

DPSC commenced the installation phase of the upgrade programme late last year, starting in the Sister Islands.

DPSC Director, Julian Lewis, said “changes in our Islands’ infrastructure, such as the increase in building heights and capacity, created challenges for the performance of the original radio system.”

“As part of our mission to improve the indoor and outdoor coverage for radio users, a study of the buildings and locations, with important information on radio site placement, was provided to the radio project team in order to ensure the selection of optimal locations for additional and new radio repeater sites,” he explained. “The system testing and radio user reports have confirmed that the installation of hardware at the three new locations provides excellent radio coverage, that’s stronger than ever before, stretching to all part of the Islands.”

Mr. Lewis said a substantial amount of work has been done to successfully imbed the new technology.

“Communication and the ability to access information quickly have a direct impact on how first responders execute their missions,” he explained. “This upgrade will play an essential role in enhancing service delivery, shortening response times in emergency situations, and efficiently interconnecting all first responders to respond to any type of emergency or large-scale event.”

All public safety agencies have begun replacing their current hand-held radio units with the new next-generation technology, with around 1,000 radios being handed out to first responders during the initial roll-out.

DPSC conducted several critical training sessions with first responder agencies to customise the functionality of their radios, and to ensure effective operational use.

Minister Rivers concluded: “I would like to sincerely thank all of our partners for their help in identifying efficiencies, streamlining processes and providing world class customer service to all of our Public Safety partners. Now, with most modern radio system for public safety and emergency communication in the Caribbean, first responders are better equipped than ever before to serve and protect the people of the Cayman Islands, residents and visitors alike.

The Ministry of Home Affairs signed the agreement with Motorola Solutions on 14 December 2017.