City of San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Coverage tests show that SLO now has 98.5% city-wide coverage on portable and mobile radios, as well as 100% network redundancy via re-use of the City's fiber infrastructure, giving first responders confidence in their communications. The resilient Tait P25 radio system has solved all of the previously identified coverage issues.

"With the new state-of-the-art Tait network, our city workers feel confident now with their communications equipment," says Steve Schmidt. "The system has solved all of the coverage issues we had in the City and out at the Cal Poly campus."

The Simulcast cross-band, city common channel means that communication between police, fire, utility and public works is fully interoperable, enabling radio users to work together seamlessly to manage large events or emergencies.

A P25 digital encrypted channel, utilizing the FIPS-certified 140-2 Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), ensures that police and SWAT operations are carried out in complete secrecy, improving safety of staff and the community.

In August 2011, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International awarded the SLO Communications Center the prestigious Horizon Award, recognizing the proactive achievements of the Center.