Did you know that under the current and pending EMS Rules and Regulations there is a requirement for each licensed vehicle (transport or non-transport) to be able to communicate with hospitals?
- Cellular communications do not meet this requirement.
- Your radio equipment will need to be narrowband compliant to meet EMS Rules and Regulations requirements by January 1, 2013.
- All newly purchased equipment in the last two years may not be narrowband compliant or capable.
Did you know that your current wideband FCC license will expire January 1, 2013?
- You will need a license for narrowband communications by January 1, 2013 (note that the application process for this license may take up to 6 months).
- You will not be able to operate equipment until a license is awarded (operating without a license may result in large fines per day from the FCC).
Will your agency be narrowband compliant by January 1, 2013?
- All radio equipment that operates in the affected frequencies must be narrowband compliant (this includes, but is not limited to radios, paging equipment, and mobile data transmission).
Please e-mail Sam Burnette with a point of a contact so that additional information on narrowbanding can be shared if needed.
More information can be obtained at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/PSAP/index.htm or by contacting Sam Burnette at the Virginia Office of EMS at 804-888-9100.