Riley County officials issued a disaster emergency declaration late Monday after the county’s P25 public safety agency radio communication system lost connection as part of a cybersecurity incident that developed earlier in the day.
Emergency responders in Riley County are currently using the backup state system for emergency communications. P25 is a solution for intra-agency communication, which allows for interoperable, multi-agency communications during an emergency.
Officials say the issue is affecting all first responders including police, fire and emergency medical services, but does not impact the public or 911 systems. Dispatchers are still able to receive calls, dispatch resources and communicate with emergency personnel and activate outdoor warning sirens.
“Each dispatch console has a backup, which preserves connectivity. Emergency responders are temporarily using a different radio channel while the issue is investigated. Communication is established and active for all local emergency response agencies,” Russel Stukey, Riley County Emergency Response Director.
The disaster declaration allows Riley County to request additional communications transmission resources from the State of Kansas.
The radio communications system is separate from all other communications and technology systems in Riley County. Officials say no personal, financial or other information is associated with this incident, which is part of an active, ongoing investigation.
