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Lead Trainers from each agency should currently be training their staff on the functionality of the specific radio equipment they will be receiving and any other considerations they need to be aware of for their operations. All radio end-users, however, should be aware of the following:
Two Versions of Talkgroups
All new radios will be programmed with the specific talkgroups or channels agencies use, but in two versions:
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KCERCS = zone name starts with “Z” to indicate analog talkgroup (e.g., Z1 MAIN 01 SPU CEDAR)
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PSERN = zone name starts with “D” to indicate digital talkgroup (e.g., D1 MAIN 01 SPU CEDAR)
When agencies first receive their radios, they will use the KCERCS talkgroups. After all agencies within a Radio Deployment Wave have received their radios, the Project will notify them on a designated Transition Date to begin using the PSERN talkgroups. At that point, the KCERCS talkgroups for those agencies will no-longer work and users will experience a “bonk” if they attempt to transmit on them. Although the KCERCS talkgroups will no-longer work, they will remain visible on radios until an over-the-air update process can occur remove them.
Communications Between Agencies
Agencies that communicate with other agencies on a regular basis or may need to communicate with other agencies in an emergency will continue to have that capability even though agencies are transitioning to PSERN on different dates. There are several ways in which this will be facilitated and the Project, in alignment with PSAP’s, will directly inform agencies of how they will continue regular operations as agencies transition to PSERN.
Reporting Issues
If a radio end-user experiences an issue with their radio equipment, a template, or vehicle installation, they should follow their usual process for contacting their Radio Shop for maintenance. The Seattle and King County Radio Shops will triage issues in collaboration with the PSERN Project. Please note that this process has been updated since the January newsletter.
The Pilot Test was a 30-day test of 80 portable (hand-held) radios and 20 mobile (vehicle) radios used in the operational areas of end-user agencies by PSERN Project staff and volunteers from 13 fire, 12 law enforcement, and 7 local government agencies. Between December 6, 2021 – January 7, 2022, the Pilot Test included:
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Formal Testing of Radio Operations – PSERN Project staff followed scripts to test operations such as single calls, group calls, emergency alarms, and fall back to the correct talkgroup and normal trunk radio operation. These tests all passed.
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System Stability Confirmation– During the 30-day period, there were no major failures, indicating the system is stable.
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End-User Operational Test – The radios were used throughout the county at all hours of the day, seven days a week. Feedback regarding coverage, radio functionality, and digital audio was positive overall, including good audio results in areas that had previously failed the Coverage Testing. There were some low audio volume issues with four radios reported, but that is being addressed.
With endorsements from the PSERN Project Technical Committee and Operations Board, the PSERN Project Joint Board has approved the Pilot Test results with the conclusion that PSERN is properly configured, optimized, and can operate without major failures, so it is ready for users!
Agencies will begin using the PSERN System for their daily operations on an assigned date that will occur after they have received their new radios. Based on the current deployment scheduling, the Project estimates these Transition Dates, but confirmation of the dates and details will be provided directly to agencies. Note that some agencies will be receiving radios in multiple waves, but they will not begin using PSERN until after their assigned date to transition.
There are over 700 Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) throughout King County for rebroadcasting the emergency radio system within properties. In order to prevent harmful interference to the new Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN), DAS in properties will need to temporarily shutdown prior to agencies transitioning to PSERN. Properties will be assigned a shutdown date based on their geographic location and for most that date will be 2 weeks prior to when agencies are transitioning. Several notices will be sent to property points of contact in the lead-up to these shutdown events. At this time, the estimated DAS shutdown dates are:
- May 3rd for properties in Seattle
- September 20th for properties south of I-90
- November 22nd for properties north of -I-90
Properties need to hire a DAS Vendor as soon as possible to prepare for these upcoming shutdown dates. For more information, please visit the DAS/In-Building Coverage section of the website.
To ensure that the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) fulfills the needs of stakeholders and meets requirements, the following governance bodies oversee activities and provide guidance:
PSERN Project Governance
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Joint Board: The Joint Board sets policies, decides budgetary matters, and oversees the milestone schedule for the PSERN Project’s development of the new emergency radio system. Recent decisions have included approving the testing results and the plan for deploying radios. Public meeting information and agendas can be found here.
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Operations Board: The Operations Board advises the Joint Board and Project on radio end-user operational matters. Recent recommendations have included changing the battery size on some radios and adapting the radio deployment scheduling approach. The list of members can be found here.
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Technical Committee: The Technical Committee advises the Project on technical issues related to the network, dispatch centers, end user radios or transition activities. Recent activities have included analysis of testing results and instituting a daily check-in to mitigate template programming obstacles. The list of members can be found here.
PSERN Operator Governance
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Board of Directors: The Operator Board sets policies, determines budgets, and oversees the startup of the new organization and future operations. Recent activities have included hiring an Executive Director to run the organization and approving resolutions to direct the structure and policies of the organization. Public meeting information and materials can be found here.
The PSERN Operator is was formed in the spring of 2021 and has been busy with startup activities. In the first year, 11 Board resolutions were approved, insurance and legal counsel were obtained, a procurement policy was approved, and both an Executive Director and Administrator were hired. In 2022, the new organization will continue to develop, including establishing financial and business systems, hiring more staff, and preparing operations for the PSERN Project to transfer operations to the PSERN Operator in March 2023.
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