Motorola FIRE RADIO

The new system provides better interoperable digital communications among all towns of Loudon County The upgraded countywide system provides improved in-building interoperable digital communications among all towns in Loudoun County.Virginia's Loudoun County today announced that it has formally accepted its nine site, 11 channel ASTRO 25 digital radio system from the Motorola Solutions business of Motorola, Inc. The system, which was installed by Motorola and operational in less than 12 months from contract signing, also marks the first large-scale deployment of APX™ 7000 multi-band portable radios for fire and EMS.The upgraded countywide system provides improved in-building interoperable digital communications among all towns in Loudoun County. It also gives public safety agencies in the county the continued ability to communicate with surrounding counties in the National Capital Region, allowing for mutual aid capabilities on a single platform. The state-of-the-art system also includes high performance data capabilities and TDMA technology for greater frequency capacity. A second phase of the Motorola deployment will include the addition of Project 25 (P25) Phase 2 TDMA technology, expected in 2012."There was tremendous teamwork and cooperation between Loudoun County staff and Motorola to meet the challenging timeline for completion and installation of this major communications system upgrade to replace our aging equipment," said Interim Chief W. Keith Brower, Jr., Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and EMS. "We are excited to have the upgraded voice and high-speed data capabilities provided by this latest Motorola ASTRO 25 technology that will keep us completely connected with other agencies within and surrounding the National Capital Region." APX 7000 radio has superior sound quality and loud audio in critical communications The upgrade also included the replacement of a microwave system in less than two months, the replacement of a low-band paging system and the addition of 1,300 Motorola APX 7000 portable two way radios with integrated GPS. As the industry's first P25 multi-band (700/800 MHz and VHF) family of subscriber radios, the APX communicates with P25 FDMA systems and future P25 Phase 2 TDMA systems."The APX 7000 radio is a tremendous addition to the communications capabilities of our law enforcement operations," said Loudoun County Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson.  "The superior sound quality and loud audio of this dual-sided portable radio are a major benefit for mission critical communications. We will also benefit from the ASTRO 25 radio system's increased in-building coverage, which is also critical in law enforcement communications."Supporting future data applications as they become available (e.g. biometric sensors), APX is geared for first responders with an eye on the future. The backwards and forwards compatible radio works on all P25 radio systems like ASTRO 25 plus SMARTNET and SmartZone analog systems and will continue to work as the system upgrades to the new P25 Phase 2 TDMA technology  in 2012."Loudoun County has taken a major step forward with the implementation of the highly sophisticated ASTRO 25 radio system and the deployment of APX 7000 portable radios," said Jackie Wasni, territory vice president, Motorola Solutions. "Motorola is committed to providing agencies like Loudoun County the latest in P25 interoperable mission critical communications, including P25 Phase 2 TDMA. We applaud Loudoun County for its technological leadership and look forward to continuing to provide the county with mission critical solutions to enhance interoperability for first responders throughout the National Capital Region."

IAFC's International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award is the highest bravery award for firefighters International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) co-sponsored by the IAFC and the Motorola Solutions business of Motorola, Inc.At Fire-Rescue International in Chicago, Captain Charles J. Metivier, Rescue Operator Kalani Abreu and Rescue Specialists Roy Constantino and Francisco Garcia of Fire Rescue 3 of the County of Kaua’i Fire Department were honored with the 2010 International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor. Battling unfavorable weather and unforgiving terrain, these heroes—who had been a team for only five days—turned a deadly situation into a dramatic rescue, saving the lives of three men on two different ridges. Their actions are befitting of the award, which recognizes firefighters around the world for their expert training, leadership, heroic actions and safe practices. It is the highest honor bestowed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and is co-sponsored by the IAFC and the Motorola Solutions business of Motorola, Inc. Mid-afternoon on August 1, 2009, with swirling winds, blowing rain and fog burying the craggy coast of western Kaua’i, Rescue 3 is notified of an overdue ultralight flight. A local pilot and student are last reported at 5,000 feet trying to fly through a hole in the clouds to Hanapepe Valley, a heavily-wooded area with a thick forest canopy. There is no GPS device or emergency beacon on board. Combing the dense rainforest from an island helicopter for 45 minutes, Rescue 3 spots debris scattered along a ridge in a deep ravine. Rescue Specialists Roy Constantino and Francisco Garcia are short-hauled into a stream bed below the crash site, but the 80-degree slope and 30-knot winds force them to be pulled up and lowered through the forest canopy above the crash. The winds and rain intensify as Constantino and Garcia work their way along the steep slope before finding two survivors trapped under the wrecked plane. Clinging to the hillside and losing traction in the slippery undergrowth, they reach the first man. He is badly injured, with broken legs and ribs. Constantino and Garcia secure him so he won’t slide into the rushing waters below, bind his legs to form a splint, pull him from the wreckage and place him in a rescue seat and harness so he can be extricated to a temporary landing site where Rescue Operator Kalani Abreu is standing by to administer aid. Fire Rescue 3 firefighters risked their own lives to save others Adding to the stress, another dispatch comes in. A hunter with a possible broken leg is stranded on a ridge 20 miles west. After assessing his reported condition and the deteriorating weather, Rescue 3 must remain and try to extricate the pilot first. The terrain is so steep that they can’t pull the pilot up, but must lower him to the bottom of the ravine. Not only is his right ankle fractured and left leg broken, but he has suffered a severe head trauma and is semi-conscious and combative. As darkness descends, Constantino and Garcia stay by his side, splinting his legs together to alleviate the pain and covering him with leaves to shelter him from the cold and rain. The helicopter returns repeatedly to extricate Constantino, Garcia and the injured pilot, but deteriorating conditions hamper any attempt. They must stay in the ravine until daybreak and an attempt to rescue the injured hunter must also be postponed. Near dawn, the helicopter returns to the crash site, where blowing rain, low clouds and gusting winds thwart a rescue. Rather than wait for a lull, they head west to pick up the injured hunter and fly him to the hospital. He’s in good shape despite his overnight sojourn. As the weather improves, Rescue 3 returns to the crash site. Once again their efforts are foiled and they leave to refuel. After adding a hundred-pound pigtail weight to the helicopter, they are finally able to extricate Constantino and the injured pilot in a litter with a long line. This time, they must leave Garcia behind. The pilot is in critical condition as Constantino tends to him en route to the hospital. After dropping them off and refueling, the helicopter returns one last time to pull Garcia out of the ravine. Fire Rescue 3 not only displayed remarkable resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance in extreme conditions, but they risked their own lives to save others. Miraculously, everyone rescued is alive today. In nominating them for the award, Chief Robert Westerman noted, “My crew may say it was all in a day’s work, but I will tell you that very few people can do this day’s work and live to tell about it.”

Motorola, today announced that it has won two tenders to supply the Fire Departments of Zealand GLOSTRUP, Denmark - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), world leader in the development and deployment of TETRA communication solutions, announced that it has won tenders to supply the Fire Departments of Lolland and Guldborgssund, in the Danish region of Zealand (Sjælland), with its ATEX TETRA portable terminals including the MTP810Ex and MTP850Ex that will provide high quality communication and safety for its firefighters. Motorola, who recently supplied terminals to Denmark's North Zealand Fire Department, have partnered with Finland's Savox on the project. They worked closely with both departments to understand their specific requirements and rolled out the terminals by the conclusion of 2009. In addition to providing seamless communication and user safety, the intrinsically safe MTP810Ex and MTP850Ex offer class leading ATEX specifications that allow for use in high-risk environments containing potentially explosive gas, dust and water as well as a powerful set of features that utilize the capability of TETRA. "In our profession fast communication is paramount and we wanted to equip our fire services personnel with robust, safe and secure products that allow them to focus on the job at hand. Motorola is a global leader in the design, development and deployment of TETRA and ATEX products and their solutions were perfect for our requirements" said Peter Søe, fire chief, Guldborgsund Fire. "With these terminals we are able to keep our task forces safe and informed at all times." The ATEX TETRA terminals have been designed to be intuitive and easy to use in hazardous environments and include a host of state of the art features. These include an integrated GPS receiver that can locate personnel, improving user safety and resource management as well as an internal "Man Down" alert. This is a fully integrated solution that triggers an emergency procedure when the carrier of the radio remains motionless for a period of time. Both terminals include a simplified keypad with a large button surface that makes them easy to use with gloves and their weight is also just enough to ensure the user can feel that the product is there. The easy to use interface includes large scalable display fonts and icons to facilitate operation in difficult environments with limited visibility. "We are delighted to win the ATEX tenders with the Zealand Fire Departments" says Manuel Torres, corporate vice president and general manager, Enterprise Mobility Solutions, Motorola, EMEA. "Our expertise and innovation in TETRA and the public safety market is unrivalled and we look forward to working with further fire departments in Denmark." Recently Motorola´s ATEX devices have been certified at IP65 (Ingress Protection Code) standards Motorola's ATEX TETRA radios are part of Motorola's fire and rescue portfolio which includes solutions for alerting, mobilisation, incident support and fire ground communications. These rugged, intuitive products undergo a series of rigorous tests to ensure superior quality and reliability under the most extreme conditions. Recently Motorola´s ATEX devices have been certified at IP65 (Ingress Protection Code) standards. The higher standard will benefit the emergency services industry where seamless communication and safety is imperative. Whilst the devices are already certified against gas and dust in hazardous environments, the new certification confirms additionally the durability against water, such as high power water jets and heavy seas.