"The anniversary of 9/11 recalls moments of great tragedy and sorrow, but also reminds us of the heroic efforts of our nation's first responders who worked together in the aftermath of the attacks to help save lives and serve their communities," said Fletcher. "This new project will ensure our first responders have the tools and resources they need to communicate effectively while they protect Kentucky citizens."
The communications project, entitled KYWINS Messenger, is being piloted in southeast Kentucky. It will allow all public safety users on the state's wireless data system to exchange messages with one another from mobile data computers inside response vehicles or from a stationary computer. The program can also quickly broadcast a message to all users within seconds. Mobile data messaging technology provides a redundant form of communication for public safety officials if voice communication is unavailable.
The program is in its final stages as a pilot project. It is expected to be accessible to all public safety agencies throughout the commonwealth later this fall. The project is the result of a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS), Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) and the Center for Rural Development (CRD).
During today's announcement, a technology demonstration was held by officers from Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 11 (on site), KSP Post 12 (remote), Pulaski County Sheriff's Office (on site), Pulaski County and KSP Post 11 dispatch and the state Intelligence Fusion Center in Frankfort.
The project was paid for by a $46,152 homeland security grant provided to CRD and a $22,308 homeland security grant provided to COT. KSP and COT developed the solution along with technical staff from CRD.
