was how the discussions of the naming conventions came forward. Ms. Zerwin said that the
PAC was formed from the Radio Steering Committee when the initial radio project was rolled
out to find a way for interoperability to continue. At that time, and up until about a year and a
half ago, DU-COMM was the radio maintainer. She said the overarching plan of how that
service was delivered was through DU-COMM personnel who are no longer here. Ms. Zerwin
said the original encryption plan was being developed by Chief Herron, who has retired, so many
things have started over. Ms. Zerwin said there is a project manager and a system manager
through Motorola, but of whom have also changed. ETSB’s Deputy Director also resigned so a
lot of the project has evolved. Ms. Zerwin said the DEDIR System, ETSB, and the PSAPs all
work together, and it would be easy if we did not ask the Chiefs what they wanted and a system
was designed, but that is not how it works here. Ms. Zerwin said a freeze could be placed for no
further changes but personnel changes are made within the agencies for anyone hired, fired, or
retired. Also, within CommandCentral are the smart services and Chiefs will need to decide who
will be partaking of those services. Ms. Zerwin said all the Chiefs are invited to a demonstration
tomorrow at the Fire Standardization meeting. She said that Chief Clark had begun
disseminating information at the Fire Chiefs Association meeting yesterday. Ms. Zerwin said
that the Fire Standardization is not a radio meeting, but it is the next available meeting for Chiefs
to see the changes in the radio with the NFPA update, and why a second template was being
brought forward. Ms. Zerwin said that a previous iteration of this Board, as those Members had
also changed multiple times, had said that if the APXNext XN radio had been chosen, which it
had by each agency, that the Chiefs could decide whether they wanted a hazard zone in the radio
for their agency. At the time the APXNext XN was chosen, it did not operate the way it can
today with the changes the Fire Focus Group worked incredibly hard with the NFPA to make it
operational for safety standards. Ms. Zerwin said it has been a long and frustrating delay, she
agrees, but that it is a better radio. Member Maranowicz said he agrees and thanked Ms. Zerwin
and the PAC.
Chair Schwarze asked Member Clark what the process will be for the Chiefs to choose their
template. Member Clark said almost all of them had gone through this already and that this is
another option being presented if they want to make the change. Chair Schwarze asked for a
timeline. Ms. Zerwin said they would have a better idea after tomorrow’s meeting. She said it
would be an easy decision for some and for those who do not attend, Fire Focus can reach out to
assist, but that it should not be a difficult decision. Member Clark said he believed it important
to point out that this would not be a delaying factor, that they anticipate encryption to take a bit
longer.
Member Schar wanted to acknowledge the PAC and not to oversimplify, but there had been a lot
of changeover on the PAC and the three PAC Chiefs present today had stepped into a role that no
one wanted, that was in a delicate situation, and the Members have dedicated themselves to
moving the project forward in a way that is mindful, but as quickly as possible to ensure the
safety of the firefighters and officers using the radios every day. Member Schar said he knows
there is a lot of frustration, but to please understand that it is not directed at the three Chiefs
present, that the Board knows what they volunteered for, and thanked them for the efforts they
had been making. Chair Schwarze and Vice Chair Franz concurred with Member Schar’s
remarks and expressed their gratitude. Vice Chair Franz said the Board also needs to hear from
the end users so solutions can be found. He said it is critical to continue to hold Motorola
accountable, requested the PAC work with Ms. Zerwin on a timeline, and would also like
summaries provided to each Fire Chief. Vice Chair Franz said deliberate decisions had been
made to delay the deployment of the radios, and he stands behind those decisions, but that they
