HOUSTON — The Durst Organization, one of New York’s oldest and largest real estate companies, recently announced the installation of a new state-of-the-art first responder communication system at their flagship building located at 4 Times Square, home to Conde Nast Publications.
The new responder system centers around Tait’s P25 TB9100 base station/repeaters, which are specifically tailored to work with the demands of the high-tech system, and will become part of standard operating procedure at all Durst buildings in Manhattan by this summer. Durst, along with support from FDNY, felt the need to address the issue of inadequate radio coverage in their high-rise buildings after radios without repeaters failed in the World Trade Center buildings on 9/11.
The power of the new system lies within the customized, technologically advanced repeaters designed by Tait systems engineers, with assistance from Fire Department Operations, Emergency Medical Service Command and The North American Group, a Tait Solution Provider. Careful planning and customization has been given to ensure the repeaters are compatible with all and any portable and mobile units used.
“The safety and well-being of our first responders is imperative to us all. Tait Radio Communications is honored to have played a role in developing a system that looks after their best interests as well as the interests of those working and operating in the buildings everyday,” says Bill Fredrickson, President of Tait Radio Communications North America, Inc.
Designed with the functionality required by public service and public safety organizations, Tait’s P25 TB9100 can be configured as a repeater or base station in a conventional, simulcast or trunked P25 network. Tait’s base stations can operate as a standalone or community repeater. Multiple repeaters can be linked in an IP based network. With remote diagnostics and programming capability, maintenance and downtime are minimized. The repeaters are also designed to withstand the most extreme temperature conditions. These product features, along with Tait’s willingness for customization, offer the perfect solution that the Durst Organization and FDNY were hoping to find.
Tait repeaters are installed at critical points throughout the building including sub-basements and uppermost floors to enhance radio coverage for all first responders. With the TB9100, first responders inside the building can now effectively communicate with personnel throughout the buildings on tactical FDNY frequencies. In addition, VoIP into these tactical frequencies enables FDNY to communicate from remote locations over a secure Internet environment into even the sub-basements of all Durst facilities. Back-up Tait TB9100 repeaters are also remotely located on other Durst properties to further ensure coverage in the event of a failure in any facility.
Durst made their announcement at a press conference that took place on May 31. The new systems were developed and installed through Durst’s own private funding efforts. Those attending the press conference included First Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Cruthers, Chief of Operations Salvatore Cassano, Congressman and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Peter King, Congressman and Democratic Chief Deputy Whip Joseph Crowley and various executives of the Durst Organization. Keys to the system were presented to FDNY and manufacturers of the system including Tait Radio Communications.
“First Responders’ safety depends on the ability to communicate in the most extreme circumstances,” said FDNY Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta in a released statement. “By adding an extra layer of communication capability, the Durst Organization has improved the safety of its tenants and all First Responders.”
Tait Radio Communications is a leading international manufacturer and provider of world-class mobile voice and data communications equipment Tait Radio Communications North America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Tait Electronics, Ltd. based in Christchurch, New Zealand and has been a growing presence in the North American radio communications market for more than 20 years.