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09-10-08 Release: Open houses set on planned antenna poles, police-fire radio upgrades

  Sept. 10, 2008



  Contact: Pat Dodds, Public Affairs Officer, (480) 312-2336

 

  Residents invited to open houses on new radio antennas
  for police and fire communications



Residents are invited to learn about changes to Scottsdale Police and Fire department radio equipment, including new antenna poles at three locations ranging up to 80 feet tall.

The city is moving forward with this project because of public safety needs. The changes will eliminate dead spots in radio coverage for the Police Department and assure the city’s Fire Department will not lose radio service when a regional system upgrades in about two years.

Police Chief Alan Rodbell, Fire Chief William L. McDonald and other members of the city staff will be present to provide information and answer questions.

All open houses run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The chiefs will make brief remarks beginning at 6 p.m.

Dates and locations are:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 17, Chaparral Park Community Center, 8080 E. Jackrabbit Road
  • Monday, Sept. 22, Palomino Library (next to Desert Mountain High School), 12575 E. Via Linda
  • Wednesday, Oct. 1 , DC Ranch Fire Station (Fire Station 11), 20363 N. Pima Road
  • Thursday, Oct. 2 , Troon North Fire Station (Fire Station 14), 27775 N. Alma School Parkway

Upgrades to the radio systems are planned in locations across the city. Some will require additional antenna poles, while others will require the addition of microwave dishes or smaller antennas on existing poles or on existing buildings.

New radio antenna poles are planned at the following locations:

  • District 2 Police Station, 9065 E. Via Linda, where a new 80-foot pole is planned.
  • District 3 Police Station, 20363 N. Pima Road – new 60-foot pole.
  • Water Site 143, along 114th Street north of Dynamite Boulevard – new 60-foot pole.

Additions of radio equipment are planned at:

  • Desert Mountain High School at 124th Street and Via Linda, where rooftop microwave dishes and antennas will be installed, pending approval of the Scottsdale Unified School District
  • Miramonte development at 124th Street south of Alameda and east of Troon. Two 24-foot antennas will be in faux saguaros.

The city plans additional improvements at six other radio sites where existing poles range in height from 40 to 110 feet. New antennas and microwave dishes will be installed. These changes will not affect the height of existing poles.

The new equipment will improve radio coverage for police officers and firefighters, especially when they need to use portable radios to call for help. The improvements also will ensure Scottsdale is included as part of a regional police and fire radio system that is being upgraded to allow 20 public safety agencies in the Valley to communicate during major emergencies. Improved inter-agency communication is a top priority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

For more information, call 480-312-3111.

To view Questions and Answers about this project, visit this Q&A page.

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