Interoperability Montana (IM) Project

Southwest Interoperability Project (SWIP) in Lewis and Clark County

The Southwest Interoperability Project (SWIP) was an early component of the Interoperability Montana Project focused on the area in and around Helena, Montana's capitol city. Montana's Lewis and Clark County is larger than the state of Rhode Island and is home to the state's capitol in Helena. Interoperable communications are critical to the area, where local, state, tribal and federal agencies routinely coordinate to serve the region. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Cheryl Liedle serves as the SWIP Project Director and chairs the IM Project Directors board.

To serve the region's complex interoperability needs, the Lewis and Clark system was designed to:

  • Work in a large geographic area; the coverage area extends beyond Lewis and Clark County into parts of three other consortia.
  • Combine Project 25 (P25) trunked and P25 digital/analog conventional capability.
  • Allow communications between P25 narrowband digital trunked and existing conventional users.
  • Use frequency in the VHF band and a digital microwave backbone.
  • Provide advanced channel management for shared use of frequencies and seamless roaming throughout the trunked areas.
  • Enhance responder safety through use of embedded signaling.
  • Use current mutual aid channels.
  • Incorporate backward compatibility with existing systems.

The project began operations in 2005 and phased in user agencies through the summer of 2006, when it became operational county-wide. Existing sites are being upgraded and new ones added as funding becomes available. The project remains under budget.

History

In 1999, the budget of the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office showed a deficit of $500,000 in funds needed to maintain regular operations. The county formed a citizens' advisory group, which brought to light several problems, including a failing communications system. The advisory group recommended a ballot measure for an ongoing mill levy, part of which--$125,000 annually--would be earmarked for communications. Years later, the levy continues.

The ongoing levy led to other forms of assistance, including a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant in 2002. Additional grant funding allowed the project to purchase radios for the Sheriff's Office, fire and rescue services, public works, the health department, and various other state agency offices. Consortia members learned about working with vendors and the concept of a hybrid VHF narrowband system that uses both conventional and digital radios. Repeater towers were built and agreements between agencies were entered into in order to share existing sites and frequencies.

Progress

The region's emergency responders have learned new standard operating procedures and become more comfortable with new radio equipment. Sheriff Liedle reports that communications coverage across the region has greatly increased. "I can now talk to my deputy in Augusta from my office in Helena, which is 90 miles away over very rugged terrain, and the communication is crystal clear,"says Liedle. "That alone is something we've never been able to do before."

The system was originally engineered to accommodate about 400 users. Now, some 1400 users are on it, resulting in some capacity issues that are being resolved. The Lewis and Clark system continues to evolve through user feedback and input.

IM Project leaders are leveraging the lessons learned and experience gained from this first interoperability project in the state as the IM Project advances to other parts of Montana.