Chicomm Blog

In Illinois, STARCOM21 pays off in increased public safety. STARCOM21 is a radio system that offers reliable high‑speed mobile connectivity to more than 60,000 subscribers in Illinois. In this blog, we’ll discuss the system in more detail, including a case study of how one police department overcame serious safety issues by fixing coverage problems with their STARCOM21 system.

Preparing Your Communications System for Changes in Illinois law

With high‑profile law enforcement cases in the news and a new law requiring Illinois law enforcement departments to utilize officer‑worn body cameras, it’s important to understand the evolving law and how it affects public safety and 911 communications.

I see a lot of 911 communications dispatch centers in the course of my work, and some function better than others. When attention is paid to the design and layout of dispatch center furniture, that makes a positive difference in efficiency and comfort.

The furniture and layout of a dispatch center can almost always be improved. There are techniques for arranging dispatch center furniture, two-way radios, monitors, and phone systems to help emergency responders do their jobs.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many dispatch centers have begun modifying work environments to encourage social distancing. But with a flood of advice from news sources, health experts, and local government, how do you know which modifications to tackle first? And which modifications are most effective without throwing budgets off‑balance?

For professionals in public safety, the demand for clear, responsive communications is tremendous. To enhance capabilities and give first responders the tools they need to save lives, industry has responded. One example of this is the Motorola APX Next public safety radio, which launched last fall.

When you are part of a public safety agency, where do you go for information? Today, more than ever, police officers, administrators, fire captains and EMTs rely on educational blog posts online to get unique insights into their line of work and creative solutions to the challenges that they face on a daily basis.

Public safety involves multiple factors, and in today’s modern age it especially calls for public safety software and technology, including radios, cameras, 911 communications, and more. Command Central is a software suite from Motorola that is bolstering communications and helping officials save lives. 

For public safety officers, effective and high-quality video surveillance and monitoring equipment is no longer a luxury of big-budget departments. It’s a necessity for doing their jobs, keeping people safe, and protecting officer reputations and jobs. To provide public safety officers the best options in the field, Motorola recently acquired WatchGuard Video, an in-car video system for law enforcement officers that provides unparalleled visibility and transparency. The following are several features of WatchGuard Video that make it a key part of a public safety communications strategy.

Anyone familiar with two-way radio lingo such as the military phonetic alphabet will attest that the phrases, codes and terms form their own unique languages.

First responders such as paramedics, police officers, and firefighters risk their own safety every day to ensure our communities are better places to live. All public safety officers play a key role in keeping our communities, campuses, and gathering places safe.

Here we share some of the many inspirational quotes for public safety officers that convey the importance of their work and how they make a positive difference.

To all public safety officers, we hope these quotes demonstrate how much you're valued and keep you inspired in your crucial work!