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Item 7: CRIS Update
CRIS is currently deployed as a dual band, dual mode interoperable system designed for outdoor mobile coverage.
We are moving to a dual band pure TDMA operable system with support for portable and in-building LTE coverage.
Item 7: CRIS Update
1. Currently 69 sites online
2. 15 new sites turned up in FY 2024-25, 80% were VHF sites
3. 12-15 additional sites expected to be online by 6/30/2026
4. Established P.25 dispatch solutions at P&R Norcom, Surcom and CHP Sacramento TMC.
5. Currently working on site installations in partnerships with Mono and Nevada Counties.
6. FDMA support to be phased out by July 1, 2027. No new dynamic dual mode talk groups allowed currently.
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PSRSPC COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
California Highway Patrol
• Public Safety Communications Objectives
• Q3 of 2025- Deploy CRIS at two additional CHP Communication Centers, and five CHP Area offices on the Ivory and White.
• Q1 of 2026- Deploy CRIS in Southern Division Black, Brown, Pink, White, Yellow, and all Southern Motor officers.
• Operational needs that impact public safety communications
• Limited CRIS coverage continues to negatively impact areas that have transitioned to CRIS causing many officers to revert back to LB
• A lack of interoperability with allied agencies in CRIS areas is a serious concern especially for large scale events and cross jurisdictional incidents
• CHP has not identified a feasible Motorola LB/CRIS solution for motorcycle officers
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CRIS testing or deployment needs
• Need expanded CRIS coverage
• Stated goal is 90% of the State’s population
• Stated goal is 60% of the State’s geography
• Requires LTE to supplement
• Will need satellite to further supplement
• In the last year, the PSC/CHP partnership has brought CRIS to six primary CHP Channels, four Communications Centers, 20 Area offices, and several specialized CHP units.
• Challenges: Infrastructure, interoperability, and the CRIS Motorola reliance.
• Anticipated budget constraints
• Every mobile and portable radio must be replaced or updated
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Every tower CHP owns should be scheduled for CRIS
• Interoperability
• Low Altitude Range Communication System (LARCS)
• SDRCS
• EBRCS
• An ISSI connection or expansion of Critical Connect capabilities will be necessary for full adoption of CRIS
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PSRSPC COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Legislation impacting public safety communications
- Possible LE encryption requirements
• CRIS Update - CDFW is moving forward with CRIS testing of 20 trunked APX radios statewide
• Anticipated Budget Constraints - No funding source to purchase trunking features for additional CDFW APX radios
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PSRSPC COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Department of Parks and Recreation
• Portable radio refresh status and next steps
• Code plug programming
• Push-to-Talk (PTT) devices deployment for aquatic operations
• CRIS deployment in limited districts
• Vehicle outfitting through PSC contract
• Reduced budget in compliance with the State Budget Letter
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PSRSPC COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Implementing Motorola Consolette base stations at air attack & helitack bases, fire centers, and conservation camps
• Creating four statewide encrypted talk groups on CRIS, carrying aircraft dispatch audio integrated across MPLS, not limited to geography
• Testing BKR9000 all band radio
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PSRSPC COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Emergency Medical Services Authority
• Objectives in the Medical/Health Context
• Maintain interoperable communications between EMSA medical assets and local, regional, and state response partners.
• Support patient movement coordination during disasters and healthcare surge events.
• Current Capabilities
• 144 radios pre-positioned with RDMHS to support:
• Regional Medical/Health coordination.
• Ambulance Strike Team (AST) deployments.
• CalMAT deployments at shelters, field hospitals, and basecamps.
• Provides redundant, interoperable communications when local systems are overwhelmed.
Operational Needs & CRIS
• Assistance from a Communications Unit Leader (COML) at the 2026 Statewide Medical Health Exercise (Mather Airport).
• EMSA is backfilling communications personnel following retirement.
• The 2026 Exercise will use the California Radio Interoperable System(CRIS) as the primary platform, testing integration with CalMAT, ASTs, RDMHS, and the EMSA DOC.
• Constraints
• No new/active public safety communications BCPs or pending legislation.
• Rising costs to sustain EMSA’s communications cache (radios, repeaters, satellite services).
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Agenda: Public Safety Radio Strategic Planning Committee PSRSPC 8-19-2025
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/PSC/Documents/PSRSPC-Slide-Deck-August-2025-FINAL.pdf
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30aiZPwuuik
