PSERN Stakeholder Overview
The Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) has three main stakeholder groups involved in the network implementation and operations: system operators, radio end-users, and buildings with DAS. These stakeholders will use PSERN to support public safety through emergency radio communications. The following is a brief description of each stakeholder group and their interaction with PSERN.
System Operators
System operators maintain and manage the contracts, assets, and liabilities of the emergency radio system under the governance of radio user representatives. The PSERN Project is the current PSERN system operator, but once the Project is complete, all contracts, assets, and liabilities will be transferred for the PSERN Operator to operate PSERN. The PSERN Project works closely with the four separate KCERCS Operators:
- City of Seattle – serves Seattle agencies
- Valley Communications (ValleyCom) – serves south King County
- Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA) – serves north and east King County
- King County – serves all other areas in King County not covered by the other 3 radio operators
Radio End-Users (Emergency Personnel & Local Government)
Radio end-users will include 9-1-1 dispatch centers and more than 100 agencies throughout King County that provide emergency public safety services, such as cities, fire districts, school districts, hospitals, and local government agencies. These radio end-users currently utilize the King County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS) and will continue to use that system until they transition to PSERN.
Properties with Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
There are over 700 buildings in King County that have public safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS) rebroadcasting the emergency radio system within their property to support Radio Users. When radio end-users begin using PSERN in 2022, DAS properties will also need to begin using PSERN.