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The Northwest Regional Radio Board (NWRRB) and the Northwest Regional Advisory Committee (NWRAC) were created in August, 2007.
By now many of you are probably aware of the creation of the Northwest Regional Radio Board (NWRRB) and the Northwest Regional Advisory Committee (NWRAC). The NWRAC was created in August of 2007 and the initial NWRRB convening meeting was held February 6, 2008 in Thief River Falls. This joint powers Board and its affiliated committees will make significant decisions that will affect all disciplines within the 14 counties and City of Moorhead HSEM region 3 areas. All 12 counties of the Greater Northwest EMS region are included in this area. A major hurdle developing a true “Statewide Communication System” is to remember that this is not “Just an 800 MHz initiative”. There is an overabundance of misinformation regarding the “800 MHz System” that many are feeling is being pushed down their throats. The efforts of many individuals both at the State level and locally have ensured that “Interoperability” is the major initiative. The efforts of the NWRRB will assist in providing local public officials enough information and grant opportunities to make good fiscal decisions for our current and distant future communication needs. Major issues include current and future funding opportunities to either convert to 800 MHz or enhance the current VHF system. Many individuals have asked the question “Should I wait to purchase needed communication equipment?” Unfortunately, that is not an easy question to answer. More importantly, it should be only ONE of many additional questions we encourage you to ask to get an appropriate answer. Many of the pager, both digital and voice, concerns will not be part of the vendor assessments. If you have current pager needs, you may need to go ahead and address those issues at this time. If your concerns involve two way voice communication issues, the first step is to familiarize yourself with your NWRRB or NWRAC representatives who are listed on the NWRRB website: www.nwmnradio.org Contact your local representatives and ask them what your particular county is doing at this time regarding efforts related to the NWRRB activities and anticipated conversion to 800 MHz or changes to your current system. At this time, the NWRRB has applied for an initial grant to function during its first year of existence (PSIC grant through MN Homeland Security and Emergency Management). The NWRRB is also in the process of securing vendors to do county by county assessments of your current communication infrastructure. This process also has grant dollars available to provide these services through the NWRRB. Once these assessments are completed, this information will arm your local elected officials to make appropriate decisions for either a conversion to 800 MHz or to make necessary changes to your existing communication infrastructure. There are future grant opportunities for the NWRRB to make some additional regional changes. This collaborative provides an opportunity to apply for funding sources that individual entities will not be eligible for. KEEP IN MIND that there are many steps necessary within the next 6 months to two years before you may have a simple answer to the question “Should I wait to purchase needed communication equipment?”. In summary, the NWRRB is a tool that will advance regional interoperability. There will be county by county assessments done for communication infrastructure review beginning this year. The NWRRB will be the vehicle to secure grants for assessments and future communication system enhancements throughout the region. Committees of the NWRRB will provide opportunity for users and operators to promote their needs and concerns for necessary advancements. If you have questions regarding the NWRRB or the NWRAC please contact Tom at GNWEMS or e-mail him at tvander@enterpoint.net
RADIO PROJECT COORDINATOR POSITION OPEN!! Contractor sought to coordinate the implementation of the statewide public safety radio system throughout fourteen counties and the City of Moorhead in Northwest Minnesota. The Contractor will have an active role in the future development of the Northwest Regional Radio Board, which is a joint powers board. The Contractor will facilitate the application, implementation and follow up of appropriate grants and projects assigned by the board. Contractor must comply with insurance requirements. Click here for a complete job description and insurance requirements: Radio Board\Radio_project_coordinator_addendum.doc Submit cover letter and resume no later than July 10, 2008
to:
MEETING DATES July 23, 2008 ~ 9:00am August 13, 2008 ~ 9:00am August 13, 2008 ~ 10:30am
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