Agencies
Federal Agencies
The State of Nebraska and Department of the Interior executed a frequency sharing agreement providing for system access to all federal agencies. Contact the OCIO for SRS access and interoperability talk resources available to law enforcement and other public safety agencies.
Local Agencies
The SRS provides local agencies options to participate. Shared talk resources, access to multiple state agencies and the ability to communicate across jurisdictions are supported. Contact the OCIO and review the SRS road map. We are here to answer your questions and assist you with planning you communication future.
State Agencies
State agencies contact the OCIO for use of the SRS and communications purchases. Agencies can have their own talk resources supporting internal communications as well as shared talk resources supporting low enforcement and other public safety agencies.
Public Power
Public power agencies contact the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) for use of the SRS and communications purchases. Agencies can have their own talk resources supporting internal communications as well as shared talk resources.
NGOs
Non-governmental organizations can obtain authorization to use the SRS in support of public safety response. Contact the OCIO for more information.
SRS Console System
The MCC7500 two-position console system replaces your end-of-life local console. It is networked to the SRS and allows operation of SRS talk resources and local communication. Although greater in features and enhanced capabilities, the console screen looks nearly identical to the Motorola Centracom Elite, making transitioning to the new console much easier to learn.
- Operates SRS and local talk resources from the local dispatcher position.
- Connects to the existing local repeaters, paging, and siren controls.
- No requirement to replace tower site equipment or other local infrastructure.
For example, your law enforcement agency can purchase new radios to migrate to the SRS while the fire department remains on their current system. All your local agencies are supported whether they migrate to the SRS or continue using their current systems.
The console system supports a variety of talk resources, provides much greater flexibility, and expands the reach of your dispatcher and responder communications.
Primary Agency Talk Resources
SRS Talkgroups
County Dispatch 1
County Dispatch 2
County Dispatch 3 Encrypted
Local Talk Resources
Law Repeater
Fire Repeater
EM Repeater
Other Talk Resources
Fire Paging
Siren
Law Enforcement Shared Talk Resources
SRS Talkgroups
B LE 1
B LE 2
B LE 3 Encrypted
Local Talk Resources
Mutual Aid
Other
Other Talk Resources
Other
Regional Common Talk Resources
SRS Talkgroups
B ROC CALL
B ROC 1
B ROC 2
Local Talk Resources
Mutual Aid
Other
Other Talk Resources
Other
A variety of console resources are supported as shown in the tables above, and more talk resources can be added as needed. You can also patch talk resources together.
Motorola Solutions IP Dispatch Console Hardware Architecture
The console system design includes the hardware to connect to the state SRS master site, and connect to the local conventional resources. The State of Nebraska OCIO and Motorola Solutions provide ongoing support with your local service shop, which will be qualified to service the equipment. All resources are arranged in a clean, logical order on the dispatch screen tailored to the needs of the dispatcher and the local communications operation.
Console System Hardware & Installation One-time Cost
Equipment
- MCC 7500 Console System
- VPM
- GGM 8000 Gateway Router
- LAN switch/site router
- Engineering and installation
Function
- Two-position elite dispatch
- Voice processing
- Tie in existing local systems
- Connect to SRS master site
- Install, configure, test
Cost
$281,817
Logging Recorder
An SRS-compatible logging recorder is an option if the local logging recorder is at end of life or if there is a need to record both SRS and non-SRS communications. A proposal can be provided to upgrade the local logging system to a Motorola Solutions-certified NICE logging system. If the local agency wants to become an SRS user, the OCIO supports a logging system for SRS calls. A Motorola Solutions-compatible logging system provides the ability to record and retrieve both the local communications call history and SRS traffic from one location.
User Radio Equipment
The local agency has the option to upgrade its mobile radios to talk on the SRS. Replacing your radios is required only if you want to move your users onto the SRS. This is not a requirement to upgrade your console system. A wide variety of radios, features and options are available to fit the needs of different agencies. The APX 4500 VHF Mobile Radio and APX 7000 VHF/UHF Portable Radio is shown here with options appropriate for a law enforcement agency. For other local agencies a low-tier radio may be suitable, or a high-tier radio if more features are appropriate.
Examples of Mobile and Portable Radio Cost
Equipment
APX low-tier mobile radio
APX high-tier portable radio
Other manufacturer radios
Supports
SRS and Local VHF
SRS and Local VHF/UHF
SRS and Local VHF
Cost Estimate
$3,400+
$5,500+
TBD
Consolette Radio Backup
The radio consolette is connected to the local dispatch console to provide limited SRS communications. The SRS console system is networked to the SRS and provides more features and enhanced capabilities to communicate on the SRS and operate local talk resources than a non-networked console or radio control station can provide. If the network connection to the SRS is unavailable the consolette radio can continue providing a limited back-up dispatch function until network is restored. The consolette also supports the statewide ROC plan that provide non-SRS users the ability to communicate on the SRS on a limited interoperability basis.
Equipment
APX consolette
Supports
SRS radio back-up
Cost Estimate
$10,000+
Tower Site Addition
The SRS was designed for 95 percent statewide mobile radio coverage. However, most local agencies expect portable radio coverage throughout their service area. In some cases adding a tower may be needed to increase portable radio coverage in certain areas.
OCIO can schedule a day to drive the local area with your agency and demonstrate radio coverage. If there is a need to improve coverage a plan can be proposed to add a tower site and the cost. In most areas of the state there is overlapping radio coverage from several towers.
Planning a tower addition would be in consideration of the benefit to your agency and the other SRS user agencies.
There are several ways to participate in the SRS. Participation can include one or more of these options and is based on a discussion with the interested agency. Each solution includes detailed planning.
- Console and logging systems as described above.
- User radios that operate on the SRS.
- Consolette that connects to the local console system providing SRS talk resources.
Vision of the Future
Lifecycle Plan
The State of Nebraska established a lifecycle plan that ensures for continual system updates and support of SRS dispatch console systems and SRS subscriber radio management. All SRS user agencies and dispatch centers are supported in the SRS lifecycle plan to keep equipment versions current, technology refresh and operations support.
Next 10 Years Plan
The State of Nebraska implemented a 10-year plan for continual system improvement. The plan provides agencies with a stable cost model and long term road map for their technology refresh.
- Infrastructure maintenance and software/hardware upgrades
- Subscriber radio planning, costs and firmware upgrades
- Console system upgrades and dispatcher training support
- Partnerships for infrastructure sharing, cost sharing and interoperability planning
Requirements Checklist
To track the process and ensure officials have the necessary information, OCIO created a planning process to identify the agency’s needs and plan around the individual agency’s requirements, and lifecycle management to ensure the support requirements and maintenance needs are budgeted.
OCIO Support Services – The State of Nebraska manages the statewide radio system and supports interoperability planning with public safety agencies. Training on equipment use, talk resources and tactical scenarios is essential for dispatchers and users to understand to use their communications resources effectively. Participation on the SRS begins with:
- Intent to Participate – The requesting agency completes the (non-binding) form and returns to OCIO to start the planning process.
- Agency Profile – The requesting agency completes the form and returns to OCIO to identify the local communications environment.
- Agency Migration Plan – The planning steps cover the necessary information to understand the need for radio coverage, equipment, communications resources and service agreement terms.
- OCIO Service Agreement – OCIO develops a Service Agreement with the agency and identities terms and costs for the equipment and services to be included (console system, logging recorder, talk resources, subscriber radio, support, etc.).
Vendor Support Services – OCIO coordinates systems planning with partner vendors and radio service shops. What this means to you is that the state and supporting vendors understand the need to provide consistent and reliable service to your agency. This helps eliminate misunderstandings concerning contracted responsibilities and you know who to call when there are problems.
- Console and Logger System design provided by Motorola.
- Installation and Support Services provided by Radio Service Shops and Motorola.
- SRS support provided by OCIO.
Ongoing Support Cost
The cost for ongoing maintenance and support is identified through the detailed agency discussions. OCIO develops a Service Agreement with the agency and identities terms and costs. Vendor service providers may provide separate maintenance agreements based on the agency’s requirements.
