STEVENSVILLE, Md. - Incident Communication Solutions (ICS) has recently retrofitted the Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Mobile Command Post to provide the agency with greater communication capabilities and redundancy.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue took delivery of their MCP which was fully integrated by ICS to include satellite connectivity, Advanced IP Networking, and various other types of communications. A Tracstar .96 meter satellite dish was installed to provide the vehicle with greater broadband speed and improving connectivity. In addition to the satellite uplink to the internet, Fairfax County now has a Cellular uplink offering the agency additional options for access and an added layer of redundancy.

ICS made a complete and comprehensive overhaul of the existing AV switching system, performed a digital conversion on their broadcast antenna and HD-capable digital receivers, and installed a simple point and shoot Extron Matrix switcher, all of which gives Fairfax County a multitude of Audio/Video capability. 

Fairfax County Mobile Command Vehicle’s counterpart, the Mobile Communication Post, will also be upgraded by ICS. Installed on the Command Post is a Cisco wireless mesh access point which will ensure wireless connectivity and redundancy when both the Fairfax Command and Communications Posts are on scene.

Fairfax County encompasses 395 square miles of urban and suburban development, 10 miles west of Washington, D.C. With the improvements ICS has made on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Mobile Command Post, the MCP is now one of the premiere mobile communications hub’s of the National Capital area.