Community residents’ complaints about the height of an 82-foot wireless communication tower in the Mokom Sholom section of Ozone Park’s Bayside Cemetery seem to have fallen on deaf ears.Not only will the tower remain standing, soon it will soar in the air 12 feet higher, thanks to Community Board 10’s approval of a request to expand it.
The board’s vote came after a presentation from attorney Robert Gaudioso, who represented Northrop Grumman Information Technologies, the company seeking a variance to permit the 82-foot structure to grow to 94 feet. Gaudioso explained that the extension to the tower’s height was necessary to accommodate the New York City Wireless Network.
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a five-year, $500 million New York City broadband mobile wireless contract by the City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to construct and maintain the NYCWiN.
According to the company, NYCWiN will enhance the city’s existing mobile wireless communications network with high-speed data and video capabilities, and deploy several new, advanced wireless applications to support first responders and transportation personnel.
The wireless network is solely dedicated to city use — not just for public safety, but for public service as well.
DoITT Commissioner Paul Cosgrave said NYCWiN will provide emergency responders with quick access to critical information in the field, enabling them to better protect the city and its residents.
In recent testimony before the City Council, Cosgrave explained that the network will enable police officers to access real-time photo, warrant and license plate databases for the identification of suspects in criminal investigations. It will also enhance access to the NYPD Real Time Crime Center.
In addition, mobile cameras can operate on the network and be tied back to existing command centers. NYCWiN can also support wireless emergency call boxes for the public to summon emergency responders when needed.
Cosgrave also told the committee that through NYCWiN, the Fire Department will be able to establish reliable wireless connectivity between its Operations Center and responders in the field. It will have the capacity to transmit on-scene data and full-motion streaming video and provide remote access to operating procedures, maps and other geographic information.
Another type of application that is supported by the network is Automatic Vehicle Location technology which has contributed to decreasing ambulance response time. The network will further enhance AVL by providing real-time map and database updates.
DoITT is currently working with the Department of Education to explore the use of AVL technology in city school buses to help measure on-time performance and keep track of the fleet.
As part of NYCWiN, the Department of Environmental Protection is coordinating a citywide rollout of an automated meter reading system, and the Department of Transportation is utilizing the network to enable its Wireless Traffic Signal Control program.
This will expand the city’s ability to remotely monitor and program traffic signal controls both on a daily basis and during emergency events.
“When complete, this system will provide robust, reliable and resilient data communications, enhancing coordination and ensuring that critical information reaches our mobile workforce,” Cosgrave said.
