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Another major PSERN milestone was reached on June 21, 2023, as public safety agencies in King County located south of the I-90 highway successfully transitioned from the legacy emergency radio system, KCERCS (King County Emergency Radio Communications System) to the new digital PSERN (Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network) radio system:
- This was the third wave of PSERN user transition
- Wave 3 agencies included: Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Enumclaw, and Tukwila Police, King County Sheriff’s Office Precincts in the south part of the County, Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Valley Regional Fire Authority, Renton Regional Fire, South King Fire, and other agencies operating primarily south and southeast of I-90.
- They are now using PSERN to support their daily operations.
The transition of additional “general government” radio users south of I-90 is still in process. Schools and utilities that operate in the south of I-90 geographic area will be transitioning by mid-July. Hospitals and King County administrative departments located south of I-90, that only use radios in the event of a large-scale emergency, are scheduled to transition by early August.
The PSERN Project is excited to announce that we are on track for all agencies to have their radios soon! The following is the general status per wave grouping as of June 21, 2023:
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Wave 1 (SPU & Sound Transit – Link Light Rail): COMPLETE
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Wave 2 (Seattle Area/Public Safety Portables): COMPLETE
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Wave 3 (South of I-90): All public safety portables and mobile radios were deployed prior to the June 21st Transition Date. There are some remaining mobile radios to be installed in general government vehicles. Remaining portables (handheld) radios for General Government located south of I-90 will be deployed by the end of June. Control stations continue to be installed and should be completed by late July.
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Wave 4 (North of I-90 Agencies): All public safety agencies north of I-90 have their portable radios and in total 77% of general government portables to this area have been deployed. Remaining portables are expected to be deployed by late July. Mobile installation crews are focusing on north of I-90 vehicles and are on schedule to complete those by late July. Control stations should also be installed by late July.
The goal is to deploy all remaining radios by late July and to transition all agencies to PSERN by early August so that legacy KCERCS system decommissioning work can begin. If you have questions about radios or are an agency needing access to radio training materials, email PSERN-INFO@kingcounty.gov.
Most non-public safety agencies – such as schools, emergency management, hospitals, administrative departments, city/county council elected officials, and utilities have been receiving their new radios over the spring and their talkgroups/radio channels will be transitioning to PSERN by mid-July. To support these agencies, PSERN brought together those agencies in late May to review the process for switching from the legacy analog emergency radio system to the new digital PSERN system in Transition Townhalls. Information related to the date, time, and process for transition to PSERN will be provided directly to agencies, but if you have any questions, please contact PSERN-INFO@kingcounty.gov. Additionally, PSERN is coordinating closely with the King County Office of Emergency Management (KCOEM) to ensure that agencies are aware of how to utilize their new radios in the event of a major disaster.
There are over 700 properties in King County that have public safety Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to rebroadcast radio signals within their properties for first responder communications. With public safety agencies transitioning to PSERN, these properties are required to take steps to be connect with the new digital emergency radio system and be compliant their local fire code. PSERN has been working with the King County Fire Marshals since 2020 to guide properties through the DAS Migration Process. Seattle area large gathering spaces, such as stadiums and hospitals, have successfully migrated their DAS. Other properties, such as large corporate campuses and high-rise residential buildings are in the process.
Properties in south King County began their migration process in mid-June and north of I-90 properties will begin to migrate in early August. View the DAS Migration Process Dates. Just like sprinkler or fire alarm systems, it is essential that properties maintain their public safety DAS to support response efforts in the event of an emergency, such as a fire in their building, and to remain compliant with fire code. Please contact DAS-PSERN@kingcounty.gov if you have questions about migrating public safety DAS.
The PSERN Operator continues to prepare for owning and managing the emergency radio system. At the June 22, 2023, Operator Board meeting, the 2024 operating budget and subscriber fee rates (page 40). were approved. Agencies will be contacted directly about their specific rates and setting up billing. If you have any general questions about startup activities, please contact the PSERN Operator at Info@PSERN.org.
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