SIRCOMM Provides Communication Services during Super Bowl

JEROME, Idaho (KLIX) – If you watched this year’s Super Bowl, you may be interested to learn that a local agency was involved with the national event. The Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center (SIRCOMM) provided interoperability communication systems during the game.

“Having SIRCOMM asked to be part of the Super Bowl is an honor,” SIRCOMM Director John Moore said in a prepared statement Monday morning. “This shows that the work the emergency communication dispatchers, administration and Joint Powers Board do on a daily basis is not going unnoticed.”

During Super Bowl 50, the game’s primary operations center was connected to the Idaho Network Operation Center (NOC) in Jerome, the news release states. By not having infrastructure other than satellite uplink terminals in the area, the center was able to provide a radio disaster recovery plan in the event of an emergency.

SIRCOMM provided additional links to the U.S. Air Force for imagery analysis radio communications and, among other tasks, provided interoperability network links from air-to-ground frequencies from both fixed-wing and helicopter assets.

All communication unit members at the game, including Department of Homeland Security officers, were provided ESChat for multiple channels running through the Idaho NOC. The communication interoperability was obtained by the various agencies working together, the news release explains.

Over the past several years, SIRCOMM has purchased and installed communication technology used as a regional resource based on direction of its Joint Powers Board. It currently is in the process of evaluating and testing new technology that may further increase the communication ability of first responders in southern Idaho.

“I am proud of what SIRCOMM has been able to provide the community for numerous years and what we are capable of doing in the future,” Moore said. “Having a regional 911 center such as SIRCOMM in southern Idaho shows that we all can work together to ensure the safety of our citizens and first responders, as well as assist outside of our region when needed.”