Greater Austin-Travis County Regional Radio System.

Greater Austin-Travis Greater Austin-Travis County Regional Radio County Regional Radio

SystemSystem

GATRRS OverviewGATRRS Overview• GATRRS is the Greater Austin-Travis County

Regional Radio System.• The system went live in 2003 as a trunked,

simulcast, 800 MHz, P-25 two-way voice radio system serving Austin, Travis County, Austin Independent School District, and UT-Austin.

• Since 2003, many systems have been connected to the GATRRS master site for improved interoperability.

Greater Austin-Travis CountyRegional Radio System

GATRRS 2003


GATRRS OverviewGATRRS Overview


GATRRS 2013

GATRRS Overview: Terms DefinedGATRRS Overview: Terms Defined• Trunked: A way to share a limited number of

frequencies with a large number of users.• Term comes from railroad, telegraphy, and

telephone worlds: “Trunk lines” connected major cities together and telephone switching offices to each other.


GATRRS Overview: Terms DefinedGATRRS Overview: Terms Defined• Trunked: A way to share a limited number of

frequencies with a large number of users.


GATRRS Overview: Terms DefinedGATRRS Overview: Terms Defined• 800 MHz: “Eight-hundred megahertz” is a frequency band

commonly used by local government public safety. Austin-Travis, Bastrop, Lee, and WilCo use 800 MHz channels.

• 700 MHz: Also available to local public safety. The DPS Capitol site (part of GATRRS) uses 700 MHz; the Caldwell system uses 700 and 800 MHz.

• VHF: “Very High Frequency” band in the 150 MHz range for public safety. Blanco, Burnet, Llano, MRGDC, and STDC use VHF channels on their trunked GATRRS systems.


What is What is InteroperabilityInteroperability??

• Ability of first responders to communicate, via voice or data, with other first responders from other agencies in real time.

• Cross-jurisdiction, cross-discipline, on demand, as authorized during multi-agency response.

• Can be accomplished in several ways.


Who can interoperate on GATRRS?Who can interoperate on GATRRS?• Law Enforcement• Fire Services• Emergency Medical Services• Public Utilities• Hospitals (through Capital Area Trauma Regional

Advisory Council)• State and Feds (Texas offices) – DPS, FBI, ATF,

Tx Military Forces


Interoperability Governing DocumentsInteroperability Governing Documents

• National Emergency Communications Plan (federal)• Texas Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan

(SCIP covers all Texas public safety agencies).• Texas Statewide Interoperability Channel Plan (covers all

Texas public safety agencies).• GATRRS Interoperability Plan (covers all GATRRS

members).


Local, Regional, Statewide GovernanceLocal, Regional, Statewide Governance

• Interlocal Agreements and Memos of Understanding.

• Regional interoperability committees (CAPCOG Long-Term Telecommunications Interoperability; Region 49 Planning and Review; Capital Area Emergency Communications District).

• Texas Interoperable Communications Committee.




LocalLocal RegionalRegional StatewideStatewide

GATRRS Governing BoardGATRRS Governing Board

GATRRS Operating BoardGATRRS Operating Board

GATRRS Advisory TeamGATRRS Advisory Team

CAPCOG Exec CommitteeCAPCOG Exec Committee

CAPCOG Homeland CAPCOG Homeland

Security Task ForceSecurity Task Force

CAPCOG Long-TermCAPCOG Long-Term

Interop CommitteeInterop Committee

Governor, DPS DirectorGovernor, DPS Director

Statewide Interop CoordinatorStatewide Interop Coordinator

SCIP Executive CouncilSCIP Executive Council

SCIP Steering CommitteeSCIP Steering Committee



Common Challenges:Common Challenges:• Infrastructure and Equipment CostsInfrastructure and Equipment Costs• Sustainment FundingSustainment Funding• Adoption of Standard Operating ProceduresAdoption of Standard Operating Procedures• End-User Training and ExercisesEnd-User Training and Exercises

Greater Austin-Travis County Regional Radio System.

Documents

austin travis

gatrrs overview gatrrs

gatrrs interoperability

caldwell system

twoway voice radio system

gatrrs members

trunked gatrrs systems

gatrrs master site