COPS Technology and Equipment Program

COPS Technology and Equipment Program

Funder: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)

Award Amount: $4,500,000.00

Geographic Scope: Alamo Area region (Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson counties in Texas)

Status: Award announced October 29, 2024. Recipient: Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)

Focus Areas

• First responder interoperable communications equipment and technology
• Radio interoperability systems for emergency response
• Technology and equipment for multiple counties
• Radio sites and updated communication equipment

Project Components

• Migration to WAVE PTX, a cloud-based, push-to-talk service powered by Critical Connect from Motorola
• AARIN-connected dispatch consoles at Bexar Metropolitan 911 Regional Operations Center at Quarry Run
• Backup and continuity operations for Comal County, Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, and AACOG's Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
• Multiband dispatch consolettes at Atascosa County and Frio County PSAPs
• Interconnections between Bexar County/San Antonio, Kerr County, and Medina County radio systems
• Multiband portable radios for Dilley Police Department, Pearsall Police Department, Frio County Sheriff's Office, McMullen County Sheriff's Office, and Lytle Police Department

Eligibility

• Invitation-only eligibility
• Only 311 agencies nationwide were invited to submit proposals
• AACOG was one of three councils of governments in Texas who received the award

Background

Radio interoperability is critical for coordinated emergency response to mass casualty events and natural disasters. Multi-band radios allow first responders to link up on dedicated channels for prompt resource deployment.

Contact

Media Contact: publicaffairs@aacog.gov Phone: (210) 362-5200