WFAFO 13 NEWS: Statewide Emergency Radio System Upgrade Goes Live Across San Andreas

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By WFAFO 13 News — December 6, 2025 — leadballoon | RP

San Andreas officials have activated a new statewide emergency radio system, marking the most significant overhaul to first-responder communications in decades. The upgrade connects law enforcement, fire services, and medical units under one unified network designed to handle the increasing demands of a rapidly growing state.

City leaders say the new system is built to eliminate communication gaps exposed during recent high-traffic events — including the surge of activity during the soft-opening weekend.

Unified Channels for All Agencies

For years, emergency services operated on fragmented frequencies that slowed down coordination. The updated system brings every agency — SAHP, BCSO, LSPD, and SAMS — onto a synchronized, statewide set of channels.

Officials say this will significantly improve:

Multi-agency pursuit coordination
Major-incident communication
Emergency alerts
Interoperability between city, county, and state units

“This puts everyone on the same page when seconds matter,” a communications supervisor told WFAFO 13.

Stronger Encryption and Tactical Control

The upgrade introduces modern encryption, blocking unauthorized listeners and protecting sensitive operations.

Command staff can now:

Assign encrypted tactical channels
Prioritize active units
Create temporary ops frequencies during unfolding incidents
Redirect traffic automatically during major callouts

The aim is to keep radio traffic clear, secure, and organized — even on the busiest nights.

Dispatch Integration and Faster Response Times

The new system links directly with 911 dispatch, allowing faster routing of calls to the proper agency. Test cycles showed reduced delays during multi-unit responses, especially those crossing county lines.

Dispatchers now have:

Cleaner audio
Immediate unit assignment tools
Real-time tracking
Faster escalation options for critical calls

Officials say the technology should produce a noticeable improvement in response times statewide.

Built for Heavy Loads and Disaster Conditions

The system includes built-in failover protection, designed to stay operational during:

Power outages
Cyber interference
Severe weather
Large-scale emergencies

Redundant nodes automatically activate if primary towers fail, ensuring continuous communication for first responders.

What This Means for Residents

For the everyday citizen, the upgrade means faster help, clearer communication, and safer outcomes during emergencies .For agencies, it brings consistency, reliability, and statewide cooperation as San Andreas prepares for a surge of new residents and activity leading into the December 22 city opening.

Officials say additional refinements will roll out in the coming weeks as departments settle into the new system.

WFAFO 13 News — Statewide coverage. Real consequences. leadballoon | RP