Arkansas Unveils New Wireless Information Network

Yesterday, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced that the state will develop the Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN), a statewide interoperable communications system designed to improve public safety.

The new voice and data communications network will enhance the network now owned by the Arkansas State Police. Huckabee said development of the network is the state's priority in the area of homeland security. The implementation of AWIN will be a multiyear project with the first phase costing about $27 million.

"We must find a way for local, state and federal emergency service providers to communicate securely and efficiently on the same network," Huckabee said. "Our local and state emergency service personnel now use more than 200 radio systems. It's practically impossible for state, local and federal agencies to communicate with each other in this state. That has created problems during past disasters such as the March 1997 tornadoes, the January 1999 tornadoes and the December 2000 ice storms. We've also had emergency response exercises that have ended in chaos because agencies couldn't communicate."

The state will issue revenue bonds, use its portion of the state's homeland security grant money and use money from the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program to pay for AWIN.

The bonds will be issued by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority on behalf of the Arkansas State Police; the proceeds of which will be used to finance the acquisition and installation of equipment. The debt service will be paid from revenues received from state drivers' license fees -- $3 million a year.

Due to the size and scope of the initiative, three counties have been chosen to participate in an initial pilot project. The counties have different user needs and terrain requirements. Successful implementation in the pilot counties will provide a working model for implementation in the other 72 counties.

Funds from the federal Office of Domestic Preparedness will be used for the pilot program. The counties and the funding amounts are:

• Miller County: $3,910,070



• Craighead County: $3,078,200



• Lonoke County: $2,548,215

Funding amounts are based on a formula designed by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. Money will also go to other counties for the purchase of needed communications equipment that will be compatible with the AWIN system.

In remarks before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on March 4, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said, "Our first responders are first on the scene and often the last to leave. Their ability to communicate and work together in the event of a crisis is paramount. So let me emphasize that we want to ensure that when federal money is spent ... it fosters interoperability."

Huckabee said, "I think Secretary Ridge would approve of the announcement we're making today. This is our greatest need when it comes to emergency response. This effort will have several phases and be implemented during a period of years. But we must start now."