National Public Safety Planning Advisor Committee

Virginia is represented by two NPSPAC Regional Planning Committees, Region 42 (most of Virginia) and Region 20 (Northern Virginia). These committees oversee the use of National Public Safety Planning Advisor Committee (NPSPAC) channels and ensure that the FCC rules and regulations are adhered to within Virginia.

NPSPAC mutual aid channels are available statewide to increase interoperability. These consist of one call in channel and four tactical channels between 820-824 MHz.  The NPSPAC channels allow first responders from 800MHz systems to deploy to an area where there is an 800MHz system and switch their radio to the NPSPAC mutual aid channel. These channels exist nationwide and have national procedures governing use.

There are 30 existing or planned 800 MHz systems within Virginia, primarily in more metropolitan areas. During mutual aid situations this will allow first responders to deploy to another metropolitan area and by using the National Public Safety Planning Advisor Committee (NPSPAC) channels these first responders can use their own radios to communicate. In accordance with the Region 42 NPSPAC Committee, any 800 MHz systems that have over five channels must monitor and have the NPSPAC CALL channel and at least 1-2 TAC Channels. Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) can also reach NPSPAC channels via system patches or use of regional 800 MHz systems already in place.

The Federal Communications Committee (FCC) has recently adopted a proposed solution to the interference problems public safety radio systems have been encountering in the 800 MHz band. This plan would involve relocating the NPSPAC channels to new frequencies within the 800 MHz band. If the proposal is implemented the new NPSPAC channels would be relocated to 806-809 MHz for Mobile and 851-854 MHz for Base Stations. It is important to note that these changes are still pending and are subject to legal challenges.