Tait P25 Repeaters in New York High-Rises

The Durst Organisation, one of New York's oldest and largest real estate companies, is installing a new state-of-the-art first responder communication system at their flagship building at 4 Times Square, using Tait's P25 TB9100 base station/repeaters.

The new responder system centres around the Tait P25 repeaters, which were specifically tailored to work with the demands of the high-tech system, and will become part of standard operating procedure at all Durst buildings in Manhattan.

Durst, with support from New York City Fire Department (FDNY), felt the need to address the issue of inadequate radio coverage in their high-rise buildings after radios without repeaters failed in the World Trade Centre buildings on 9/11.

The power of the new system lies within the customised, technologically advanced repeaters designed by Tait Electronics systems engineers, with assistance from fire department operations, emergency medical service command and the Tait North America group. Careful planning and customisation were given to ensure the repeaters would be compatible with all and any portable and mobile units used.

"The safety and well-being of our first responders is imperative to us all. Tait Radio Communications is honoured to have played a role in developing a system that looks after their best interests as well as the interests of those working and operating in the buildings every day," said Bill Fredrickson, President of Tait Radio Communications North America, Inc.

P25 TB9100 Base Station - Flexible, Functional

Designed with the functionality required by public service and public safety organisations, Tait's P25 TB9100 can be configured as a repeater or base station in a conventional, simulcast or trunked P25 network.

Tait's base stations can operate as a standalone or community repeater. Multiple repeaters can be linked in an IP based network, and with remote diagnostics and programming capability, maintenance and downtime are minimised.

The repeaters are also designed to withstand the most extreme temperature conditions. These product features, along with Tait's willingness for customisation, offered the ideal solution that the Durst Organisation and FDNY were hoping to find.

Tait repeaters were installed at critical points throughout the building including sub-basements and uppermost floors to enhance radio coverage for all first responders.

With the TB9100, first responders inside the building can now effectively communicate with personnel throughout the buildings on tactical FDNY frequencies. In addition, VoIP into these tactical frequencies enables FDNY to communicate from remote locations over a secure Internet environment into even the sub-basements of all Durst facilities.

Back-up Tait TB9100 repeaters are also remotely located on other Durst properties to further ensure coverage in the event of a failure in any facility.

Durst made their announcement at a press conference that took place on May 31. During this event, keys to the system were presented to FDNY and manufacturers of the system including Tait.

"First Responders' safety depends on the ability to communicate in the most extreme circumstances," said FDNY Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta in a released statement. "By adding an extra layer of communication capability, the Durst Organisation has improved the safety of its tenants and all First Responders."