Milwaukee County and Waukesha County Unveil Enhanced Emergency Communication System to Promote Public Safety

This is a joint third-party release from Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties in Wisconsin. 

Milwaukee County and Waukesha County are announcing new enhancements to the region’s public safety and emergency communication infrastructure through the transition to the Wisconsin Public Safety Network (WiPSN).

WiPSN is a radio network that helps first responders stay connected when every second counts. As founding partners of WiPSN, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties have worked with Motorola Solutions to upgrade their regional public safety communications infrastructure in order to enhance reliability and interoperability of their radio system.

“Milwaukee County is committed to deploying world-class technology and resources to enhance public safety and ensure our region’s emergency communication system aids first responders in carrying out their life-saving work,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Whether there are major events occurring in Milwaukee County, or it’s a normal day in one of our neighborhoods, we are leveraging WiPSN to enhance public safety, improve emergency response times, and provide a resilient communication backbone for our communities. In collaboration with Waukesha County and Motorola Solutions, I am proud we are working to do just that.”

In the event of a primary connection failure, the system can seamlessly switch to alternate paths, facilitating uninterrupted communication. The microwave network's design further enhances reliability with interconnected transmitters forming redundant loops, capable of automatically rerouting communications to maintain service availability under any circumstances, within fractions of seconds. This design aims to eliminate the risk of system-wide failure, ensuring constant communication capability for emergency responders and public safety officials across Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.

"At Waukesha County, public safety is our paramount funding priority. In emergencies, every second counts, and our 911 dispatchers at the communications center are essential in providing life-saving services. Partnering with WiPSN and Milwaukee County fortifies our dedication to safeguarding our community, improves the well-being of our residents and enhances borderless compatibility among our public safety partners in the field,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.

Public safety communications – which include both devices like radios and the networks they operate on – are critical tools that first responders rely on to coordinate and respond to emergencies. From day-to-day communications to natural disaster emergencies, reliable radio communications help public safety agencies coordinate a response even if other systems like phone networks are knocked out.

“Natural disasters and other emergency situations require reliable mission-critical communications that make intra-agency coordination across city and county lines seamless. We are proud to support first responders in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties and across the state with WiPSN, a radio network they can trust as they tirelessly work to keep their communities safe,” said Motorola Solutions Vice President Frank Galvin. 

WiPSN eliminates the need for physical infrastructure within Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, offering unparalleled flexibility and immediate access to advancements as they are implemented by Motorola Solutions. Through WiPSN, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties have integrated new technologies without the delays associated with traditional system updates. Motorola Solutions’ hosting allows for instantaneous upgrades and enhancements, boosting operational efficiency and responsiveness.

The transition to WiPSN provides public safety agencies across Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties with reliable, interoperable radio call processing that meets internationally-recognized radio network standards and helps first responders stay connected during emergencies. Since going live this April, WiPSN has processed four million radio calls for over 190 agencies in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties who utilize the system. 

A key benefit of this transition is the increased independence for Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, enabling each to select more agile and customized service adjustments in order to meet respective needs. Another advantage of WiPSN is the robust redundancy this system provides. Multiple fiber connections and microwave radio linking the Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties to Motorola Solutions’ core help ensure continuous operation. Joining WiPSN is open to municipalities, counties and public safety agencies across Wisconsin.