Radio Sites Upgrade

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The City of Midland, Texas will utilize the FY 2010 Congressionally Selected Award to upgrade three of the City's radio sites with necessary emergency communication equipment.

The City maintains three radio repeater sites. Radio transmission equipment located at two of these sites (Midland International Airport and City of Midland back-up sites) are at least 20 years old. The manufacturer of these systems no longer provides replacement parts for this particular equipment. Over the past four years, the failure rate for this legacy equipment has averaged one repeater per week. Additionally, due to the limited number of repeaters at the back-up site, when it is necessary to employ the back-up system the number of queued messages quadruples drastically slowing the response times of police and fire personnel to community emergencies, as well as, endangering the lives of first responders needing to request assistance.

The goal of this project is to have radio repeater equipment located at Midland International Airport and the City of Midland's back-up sites that is adequate and dependable. This will be accomplished via the following objectives: (1) replace all legacy repeater equipment at the Midland International Airport and the City of Midland's back-up site with minimal interruption to current operations; (2) provide airport safety personnel with clearer and more immediate radio communications; (3) increase the capacity of the back-up site from three repeaters to six repeaters; and (4) ensure the safety and security of the equipment by remote monitoring.

NCA/NCF