M/A-COM VIDA Technology Augments Interoperability for City, County, State and Federal First-Responders over the Miami-Dade County Radio Network

LOWELL, Mass., February 8, 2007 – Tyco Electronics’ M/A-COM business, a worldwide leader of critical radio communication systems, today announced that its VIDA technology was successfully deployed to enhance and extend interoperable public safety communications before, during and after Super Bowl XLI, played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.  On this special project M/A-COM worked closely with its service partner Cooper-General, headquartered in Miami, Florida, to deploy the VIDA network solution.

The M/A-COM VIDA technology augmented interoperable communications between law enforcement agencies who provided security for Super Bowl XLI. Agencies using the system included the Miami-Dade County Police Department, other local agencies in the Miami-Dade area, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Miami-Dade County Fire Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Broward County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Throughout the duration of the project M/A-COM and Cooper General worked in cooperation with Miami-Dade County’s Enterprise Technology Services Department (ETSD) to deploy the enhanced VIDA system.

 “The safety of the hundreds of thousands of fans and visitors that came to the Miami area for the Super Bowl was the chief concern for all of the law enforcement officials present, and the ability of these agencies to easily communicate with each other whenever necessary was a huge boost in our efforts to ensure the public’s safety,” said sergeant Robert Sisley, Miami-Dade Police Department. “It was reassuring for all of us at the Miami-Dade Police Department to know that we could connect with other law enforcement officials instantly to work together to keep this year’s Super Bowl XLI safe for all participants.”

The M/A-COM VIDA network platform is a cost-effective, IP-based interoperable radio communications technology that supports P25 and other IP-based systems. VIDA is the platform that enabled a recent demonstration of the new P25 Inter RF SubSystem Interface (ISSI) networking standard with another manufacturer.  It provides a full IP management platform including interoperability without intervention of console operators, IP consoles, networking technology for both the P25 phase I and P25 phase II standards, plus many other benefits inherent in open IP architecture systems.

The VIDA platform also provided interoperable communications with State Law Enforcement Agencies throughout Florida using Florida’s Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS), a statewide radio communications system deployed and maintained by M/A-COM for public safety and public service users throughout the state.

“M/A-COM was proud to provide this interoperability technology solution to law enforcement and public safety officials during this Super Bowl game that attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the Miami area,” said Fred Gallart, South Area sales director, Tyco Electronics M/A-COM. “Certainly the full deployment of our VIDA network solution on the Miami-Dade system contributed directly to the safety and security of Super Bowl XLI. As an added benefit, all public safety users in this area can now experience the real benefits of having true interoperable communications at their fingertips.”

Tyco Electronics’ M/A-COM business is a leading supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets.  Products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability and security.  M/A-COM is also a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave solutions for the commercial wireless telecommunications, aerospace and defense industries. Headquartered in Lowell, MA, M/A-COM has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.  Information about M/A-COM can be found on the Web at www.macom.com or www.macom-wireless.com.

Tyco Electronics is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions and wireless systems, with 2006 sales of $12.7 billion to customers in 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliances and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With over 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics' commitment is our customers' advantage.

M/A-COM, TYCO and VIDA are trademarks of Tyco Electronics / M/A-COM Private Radio Systems.
Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

 For sales information, please contact:
Williams Communications, Inc.
5046 Tennessee Capital Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
1.800.649.5783
 

October 9, 2006 - Carrabelle, FL

Move over Batmobile, there’s a new V8 on the block that’s fighting crime by keeping kids off drugs.  And, this one is the best of its kind.  The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) car, better known as “BUSTang,” competed with more than 60 other cars to take home the trophy for first place at the National D.A.R.E. Conference, held recently at Orlando’s Coronado Springs Conference Center.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, students in Franklin County Schools and Williams Communications, Inc., joined efforts to design and build the 2006 Ford Mustang GT, nicknamed BUSTang. 

“We’re excited to see our advanced communication systems being utilized to educate the students in Franklin County,” said Scott McGuire, Installations Manager of Williams Communications, Inc. of Tallahassee and a liaison with the Franklin County Sheriffs’ Office.  “It’s a cool and unconventional way of getting out the message to kids to stay off drugs, and I think it’s getting their attention.”

Sheriff Mike Mock of the Franklin County Office agrees.  “If the D.A.R.E. Program saves just one child’s life, it’s worth it,” said Mock.

McGuire and his installation team at Williams Communications equipped the BUSTang with a 2000-watt stereo system; an 800 MHz, encrypted M/A-COM radio system; 200 LED lights around and underneath the car; eight speakers; and a DVD multimedia system including two video monitors, making the BUSTang not only a cool ride for Sgt. Ryan Sandoval, Franklin County Schools’ D.A.R.E. Officer, but also an effective tool for educating the county’s students about the dangers of using drugs.

This fall, the BUSTang will educate students with a DVD video show from the video monitor on the inside hood of the trunk, as well as a fiberglass molded display containing a “substance abuse identification kit” on the floor of the trunk.  It is Sandoval’s hope that the BUSTang will help to save the kids of Franklin County, just like the Batmobile helped save Gotham City.

Sandoval’s peers also are impressed with the hot, yellow vehicle.  The BUSTang was deemed “best D.A.R.E. car in the nation” in July when it won first place at the National D.A.R.E. Conference in Orlando. 

Williams Communications, Inc. is a Tallahassee-based distributor of M/A-COM’s wireless and emergency lighting systems, including the State Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) which connects law enforcement and other agencies throughout Florida.  Since 1959, the company has been a leader in providing the most secure, reliable and interoperable communications to public safety organizations, businesses and the general public. 

For more information about Williams Communications, Inc., visit www.wmscom.com.  To learn more about Project BUSTang and the Franklin County D.A.R.E. Program, visit www.franklinsheriff.com/Index/DARE.htm.

Reprinted with permission from the Apalachicola & Carrabelle Times
Story By: Dale Kingon

March 2, 2006 - Franklin County, FL

Sporting flashy pinstripes over its brilliant yellow paint, the newest and some might say coolest, tool in the war on drugs is now on the streets of Franklin County.

The flamboyant 2006 yellow Mustang GT was purchased in December 2005 by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for the drug abuse resistance education program.

Every year the county allots the sheriff’s office a sum of money dedicated for getting new vehicles. This 2006 warrior against drugs cost the county $22,587, nearly $500 less than the amount allotted for the purchase.
The car and its subsequent work is dubbed “Project BUSTang” by the sheriff’s office because it was outfitted using funds from the forfeiture fund. The forfeiture fund uses money confiscated during drug arrests.

“If money is found during the course of a drug arrest we can seize it,” said Ginger Coulter, the sheriff’s office finance officer. If the courts see fit they can give the money to the sheriff’s office, it then goes into the forfeiture fund. State law mandates that the D.A.R.E. program get a certain percentage of the funds.

“It is nice for the community to see that the money seized during drug arrests is going back into the fight against drugs,” said Coulter. Usually the vehicles purchased by the Sheriff’s Office have lights and striping put on using money from the general fund.

Sgt. Ryan Sandoval, D.A.R.E. officer, and Scott McGuire, from Williams Communications of Tallahassee, together with the fifth grade students in the D.A.R.E. program worked together to create the coolest D.A.R.E. car in the United States.

“I think it was important for the kids to get involved with this project, so I let the kids of my D.A.R.E. classes vote on what they wanted to do with the car and they did an awesome job! Just look at the car; they helped design it,” said Sandoval.

“It’s all about the children and if we can save just one child from going down the wrong path of drugs with the D.A.R.E. program then it’s all worth it,” said Sheriff Mike Mock.

The new Mustang is sure to go a long way toward catching the attention of impressionable students.

Photo: Scott McGuire