THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS ISSUED AT THE INTERNATIONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EXPO (IWCE) ON MARCH 28,2023
Deployable ICE Solution Provides Local Coordination and extends RF coverage in buildings and rural geographies.
Las Vegas, NV – IWCE, March 27, 2023 Catalyst Communications Technologies, a leading provider of Radio Control over IP solutions, today announced the joint marketing of a new Incident Command solution combining the best of L3Harris Technologies XL-200M Multiband Radio technology with Catalyst’s command and control software. For over 10 Years, ICE has provided military and public safety with a flexible, transportable solution for Incident Command and enhanced radio frequency coverage in challenging geographies. The new 2.0 version of ICE™ leverages the power of the of L3Harris XL-200M Multiband Radio, which includes support of VHF, UHF, 700/800 and 900 MHz bands, and built-in LTE, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® and GPS capabilities.
When space or power is limited, this solution can save precious resources and provide the ultimate flexibility to communicate quickly across the full range of channels and scenarios.
ICE™ is a deployable incident command solution that provides radio voice communications across several frequency bands for Project 25, EDACS, MDC 1200, and conventional, while providing enhanced graphics and control to the user. Catalyst’s Incident Commander Element (ICETM) provides an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) for local management of multiple frequency bands for talk around, vehicular repeating, and interoperability. Packaging improvements to ICE™ 2.0 include a new, more robust, compact and rugged design, and can be provisioned in a Pelican™ case with wheels or installed in a rack for vehicular installation. A primary application for ICE™ 2.0 is with fire ground operations, emergency medical, special rescues, utility restoration and other critical communications incidents. A single hardened laptop integrated with up to three mobile radios delivers commander control with an easy-to-use interface. ICE™ can operate in a stand-alone mode or be linked back to the agency’s primary radio system.
When the mission requires operation in talk-around mode, it can be difficult to coordinate activities without the benefit of the main dispatch center. ICE™ 2.0 allows the Incident Commander to monitor voice communications from these local radios across the primary frequency bands using one integrated tool. Commanders will see a call log of every call placed including Unit ID, a time stamp and Emergency messages. The audio is recorded and may be replayed on-scene or can be easily transferred to other tools for post processing.
Agencies can link back to their primary radio system via either RF (by patching two of the ICE mobile radios together) or via an IP connection. “With ICE™ 2.0 each person can continue to use their own agency-specific radio and let ICE provide the means for local interoperability and dispatch,” said Robin Grier, president of Catalyst. “ICE makes it easier than ever for the commander to stay in charge, record and replay messages, and connect back to the main system as needed.”
Orders for ICE™ 2.0 can be taken now, and the units are expected to be deployed in the field during the second quarter of 2023.
