Las Cruces Fire Department upgrades radio system

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — The Las Cruces Fire Department announced Wednesday morning, July 24, that it has transitioned to the New Mexico Department of Information Technology-operated digital radio system for public safety.

The Fire Department says the new system provides public safety radio communications across the region and throughout New Mexico.

The system is referred to as the 700 MHz radio system, which meets national standards and enhances public safety interoperability, according to the Fire Department.

All fire departments and the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority will be operating on the NMDOIT system and first responders throughout Dona Ana County will be able to use the same radio channels during large incidents such as mass casualty incidents, multi-agency fire callouts, and search and rescue deployments along the Rio Grande and in the Organ Mountains, according to the Fire Department.

The transition will also allow the Las Cruces Fire Department to communicate with other first responders while deployed across the state during large incidents that require assistance.

The Fire Department says they anticipate completing the switch to the new radio system by the end of August and the Las Cruces Police Department will transition to the system later this year.

“Public safety entities across the State have struggled financially, and the user fees have made the switch cost-prohibitive in many areas,” said Chief Jason Smith of the Las Cruces Fire Department. “By funding the costs for public safety in NMDOIT’s budget, our legislators and governor have made the ability to switch from our legacy system attainable.”

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