NEWS RELEASE FROM Emergency Communications Of Southern Oregon: ECSO 911 Announces Successful Go-Live Of County-Wide Public Safety Radio System (Photo) - 10/13/26
Important Note: This is a news release from Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon not the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. For media inquiries, contact ECSO Director Tim Doney.
Media Contact Info:
Director Tim Doney
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911)
400 Pech Road, Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 774-5061
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2026
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911) Announces Successful Go-Live of County-Wide Public Safety Radio System
On October 6, 2026, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911) successfully completed the cutover and go-live of its new public safety radio system. The modern digital network is now fully
operational, providing enhanced radio communications between the ECSO 911 dispatch center and law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel in the field.
Important clarification: This project upgrades the radio system used by dispatchers at ECSO 911 to communicate with first responders. It has no impact on the ability of citizens to call or text 911.
ECSO 911 serves as the primary public safety answering point (911 Center) for all of Jackson County and Crater Lake National Park. The new system’s public safety radio coverage footprint includes Jackson County and parts of Josephine, Curry, Douglas, Klamath, and Siskiyou Counties.
The new Project 25 (P25) Phase 2 hybrid VHF/700 MHz simulcast trunked radio system replaces a decades-old patchwork of disparate analog and digital systems that had evolved into a de facto regional network but suffered from coverage gaps, capacity limitations, interoperability challenges, and increasingly difficult
maintenance of aging equipment—some components more than 30 years old.
After years of planning, construction, and collaboration with our partner agencies, our first responders now have a robust, modern radio system designed to deliver reliable coverage across a wide and geographically challenging region. When seconds matter, reliable communications between dispatch and the field save lives.
Key Project Milestones
- In 2014, Jackson County Fire District 3 was awarded a Department of Homeland Security grant that funded the initial study of public safety radio infrastructure in Jackson County, laying the critical foundation for the entire project.
- In 2016, Federal Engineering was retained to develop a conceptual design; ECSO selected a hybrid VHF/700 MHz P25 Phase 2 solution.
- In November 2019, Jackson County voters approved a $28 million general obligation bond with 58 percent support to fund the project.
- ECSO contracted with Motorola Solutions in November 2020.
- Construction of 20 radio sites (new and upgraded) began in 2023 and was completed in 2025, including solar and battery systems at remote non-powered locations.
- Nearly 1,700–1,800 mobile and portable radios were ordered, deployed, and installed for user agencies.
- After extensive testing and parallel operation, the system cut over to full operational status on October 6, 2026.
Over the course of the multi-year effort, the scope of the project expanded—at the request of user agencies—to incorporate additional new technologies and equipment that further strengthened system performance, redundancy, and long-term capability. Additional funding support from the Oregon Legislature, federal grants, partnerships with agencies such as the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police, and contributions from member agencies helped complete the project.
ECSO extends its deepest gratitude and recognition to the citizens of Jackson County, the local Oregon legislators who championed and helped secure $2.5 million in critical state funding that made completion of this vital project possible. We also thank all of our user public safety agencies—law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services—whose partnership and commitment have been essential every step of the way; the local cities that comprise the ECSO membership; Jackson County for its leadership in carrying the voter-approved bond and ongoing support; and the ECSO Board of Directors for their steadfast guidance and dedication throughout this multi-year effort.
The new system delivers real-time operable and interoperable voice radio communications supporting day-to-day operations, mutual aid, and multi-agency responses across a diverse and demanding geographic footprint—from urban centers to remote mountainous terrain.
Ongoing coordination with fire and law enforcement agencies, as well as Jackson County Roads, Parks, and Animal Services, continues to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the system’s capabilities.
For more information, contact:
Director Tim Doney
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911)
400 Pech Road, Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 774-5061
