SANTA FE, August 11, 2023 – The City of Santa Fe Police and Fire Departments have successfully transitioned their public safety radios to the State of New Mexico system, ensuring clearer and more reliable communications and greater in-the-field safety for first responders. The new system officially began operating on August 9 at 4:30 a.m.
The City joined on as the newest "Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS)" subscriber partner with the State Department of Information Technology, which will now provide technical support and a reliable backup should the local system fail for any reason. The partnership with the State will lead to increased communications capabilities and interoperability between the City of Santa Fe and all other DTRS partners.
Preparations for the transition included programming over 600 vehicle and handheld radios for the Santa Fe Police and Fire Departments, as well as months of logistical planning from the City’s Information Technology Department, which was needed to support the transition. The City of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe County RECC team coordinated extensively to ensure a seamless and uneventful transfer of services.
"Our police officers and fire fighters are much safer today because of this partnership, and so is every resident and visitor in our City. We are very grateful for the hard work and dedication of our IT Department and to our partners at the Santa Fe County RECC and the State for putting safety first and making this happen," said Kyra Ochoa, Community Health and Safety Director for the City of Santa Fe, which includes the Police, Fire and Emergency Management Departments.
Fire Chief Brian Moya said, "Today, I am delighted to express my satisfaction regarding the successful implementation of our new radio system within my department. This system serves as a dependable means of communication with dispatch and fellow first responders. As the RECC Chair, I am proud of our collaborative efforts with Santa Fe County, which have resulted in significant advancements in our communication capabilities. This achievement plays a vital role in our ability to respond effectively to the ever-increasing demands of our community. Without reliable communication channels, our first responders were severely hindered when responding to emergencies. Now we can all respond confident in our communication."
Police Chief Paul Joye said, "Our radios are not just how we get our information to and from dispatch. Our radios are the lifeline for our first responders. Being able to communicate with our partners in the field is crucial to the safety of ourselves and the community. The news of the successful transition gives us great relief, knowing that wherever we are, when we call out to our partners, we will be heard. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to get this project completed."