A medical emergency radio communications system (MERCS) for the state of West Virginia

The Medical Emergency Radio Communication System (MERCS) for OH-9 illustrates a new system of emergency medical services (EMS) communications planned for the State of West Virginia. MERCS will be the first multicounty system to be implemented in the State-and will serve as a model for other areas. MERCS will provide a centrally coordinated system of EMS communications for the mountainous rural area of Southern West Virginia. It will exploit the rules of the FCC that provide for use of multichannel equipments and a system of full channel (UHF) mobile relay stations. A vehicle fitted for MERCS will be able to communicate on a common basis through any mobile relay in the system. The mobile relays will provide for communication among all participating public safety agencies, utilizing cross banding where appropriate for interface with the systems of cooperating public safety agencies. The result will be a fully integrated system of communications for EMS.