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in Virginia State Interdepartmental Radio System (SIRS)
SIRS is a low band frequency 39.54 MHz system developed in 1978 that is used statewide by local law enforcement to communicate between localities and the Virginia State Police (VSP). SIRS has four primary goals:
- Direct, real time car to car radio communications between law enforcement agencies
- Provide radio communications during prisoner transports
- Provide interoperability between localities and also with VSP
- Provide a highly reliable network
SIRS is not to be used for routine radio traffic, since this type of use will flood the system. This system provides the ability for direct interoperability and does not rely upon a dispatch function for those with SIRS equipment.
SIRS is governed by the SIRS Advisory Board, which is appointed by the Secretary of Public Safety. The SIRS Board is responsible for policy formation, eligibility for membership, and research on matters relating to public safety communication problems affecting the Commonwealth's ability to deliver effective law enforcement services.
SIRS is widely used by rural localities to communicate with Virginia State Police (VSP) on a daily basis as many of these localities still operate on low band radio systems. Many localities have migrated to 800 MHz and high band radio systems. These situations require a patch or interconnectivity to continue the use of SIRS. In some cases 800 MHz users have discontinued their use of SIRS due to the costs associated with maintaining two systems.
The 39.54 MHz frequency continued to be used throughout Virginia to link up local law enforcement with Virginia State Police (VSP) providing true interoperability, which increases public safety. While this system is over 30 years old it is still widely used and effective.
If your agency would like to become a user on the SIRS network, please contact Mr. James Thurston of the SIRS BOARD, at the email address below, for an application. Once the application has been received it will be voted on by the Board at the next meeting following the receipt of the application. Please read the SIRS guidelines for more information regarding the usage of SIRS.
For more information about SIRS please contact James Thurston at James.Thurston@vadoc.virginia.gov
