Aug.
24, 2017
W.Va.
transfers first responder network; McCabe appointed to remain coordinator
CHARLESTON,
W.Va. – West Virginia has streamlined the critical
telecommunications system that connects police, fire and emergency medical
first responders across the Mountain State, while keeping a law enforcement
veteran at its helm.
The Statewide Interoperable Radio Network,
or SIRN, is now being overseen by the Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management, which is part of the Department of Military Affairs and
Public Safety.
“We are very appreciative of the
governor’s and the Legislature’s trust in allowing us to provide oversight for
the SIRN system,” said DHSEM Director Jimmy Gianato. “This valuable system
provides interoperable communications to our first responders on a daily basis
and during times of disaster. The system
has proven invaluable during many major events and allows all agencies,
including our National Guard, to communicate effectively when crisis occurs.”
G.E. McCabe has been the network’s
Statewide Interoperability Coordinator for eight years. Gianato appointed
McCabe earlier this month to remain in that key administrative position
following SIRN’s transfer.
The system began as a pilot project funded
by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Harrison, Marion and Monongahela
counties. The W.Va. Department of Health and Human Resources provided financial,
technical and grant administration through a gubernatorial executive order.
Legislation passed during this year’s
regular session transferred SIRN to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management (DHSEM). The system will now build on the success of the original
project through collaboration with many local, state and federal partners,
Gianato said.
“The system provides first responders and
our 911 communications staff with a level of field communications we had never
even dreamed of in the past,” said Harrison-Taylor 911 Director Paul Bump. “The
system’s reliability and resiliency has been proven over the years. We have on
several occasions had our first responders in various parts of the state
assisting other counties, and have been able to maintain near seamless
communications throughout. Having access to good local communications as well
as the ability to communicate with other responders and 911 centers statewide
is a tremendous asset to all 911 and public safety agencies.”
Through its network of more than 80 towers
arrayed across West Virginia, SIRN employs the latest radio technology to
connect public safety agencies and personnel at all levels. It is designed to
provide coverage both for 911 centers and other facilities as well as
vehicle-mounted and handheld devices. The legislation also created the
Statewide Interoperable Executive Committee to help ensure input from its wide
range of users across the state.
“This system has only succeeded because of
the trust and partnerships of its users and their financial support,” Gianato
said. “We intend to continue to value the input of the SIEC as we expand and
upgrade this statewide system.”
McCabe, the Statewide
Interoperability Coordinator, has more than 27 years of law enforcement
experience, and is retired from the West Virginia State Police. He served in
numerous leadership roles during his career there, including as director of
Communications and Information Technologies and as chief of Professional and
Technical Services.
McCabe contrasted SIRN’s approach and
success with how communications were handled when he began in law enforcement
and during such major disasters as Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist
attacks. The importance of interoperable communications was a key lesson from
the latter.
“It is through the collaborative efforts
of our municipal, county and state agencies working together that we have been
able to build a radio network that provides our first responders with
interoperable communications between agencies and across disciplines,” McCabe
said. “I am honored to continue to serve as the SWIC for West Virginia and be a
part of such a great group of individuals who make up our SIEC and Regional
Interoperability Committees (RICs), which govern the SIRN.”
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