The portable SIPS-BDA system addresses the NFPA new Annex O requirements providing in-building communications for public safety radio at 1/10th to 1/100th the cost of prevailing fixed system or added-tower solutions. It represents an original, creative and new approach to enhance the safety of the public, firefighters, and multi-agency personnel. SIPS-BDA supports most statewide communications interoperability plans (e.g. OH-SCIP).

There are many advantages associated with both the "deployable system" strategy and the advanced SIPS platform implementation of the SIPS-BDA products. Many of these advantages are discussed in our application note Portable In-Building Communications System.

As stated by DHS and FEMA:

Our portable standalone SIPS-BDA system achieves these core preparedness objectives and is aligned with the national investment strategy. It is also a long-awaited solution for first responders nationwide faced with in-building communications challenges.

For example, the Phoenix Fire Department's "Radio System Safety Project Final Report", October 2004, identifies several problems associated with fixed equipment for in-building communications enhancement:

The authors of the Phoenix FD report further cite:

The SIPS-BDA systems overcome these difficulties. First, SIPS is an "ON-DEMAND DROP-AND-OPERATE" technology. This means SIPS systems are easily deployed to any building on a per event basis thus eliminating the costly step of identifying the communications requirements of each and every building in advance.

Secondly, the SIPS-BDA system arrives with the first responders and is not subjected to or damaged by events in the building leading up to that arrival. Once on site, responders can assess the conditions and position the SIPS unit to maximize survivability. SIPS watertight enclosure will protect it from water damage throughout the event.

SIPS-BDA products address key elements under discussion in national level in-building code initiatives including watertight enclosures to prevent damage from wash-downs and a minimum of 12 hours of battery-backed operation. Monitoring for fault conditions and alarm generation are included.

There are now five (5) members in the SIPS-BDA family. They are aggressively priced, rugged, expandable systems ready to address 800 MHz in-building communications challenges wherever and whenever operations go down. Product specifications, pricing, and other information are available through the additional material links at the top of the page.