WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (November 21, 2025) – Washington County Wireless Communications has completed an important upgrade to the county’s public safety radio system. As of November 20, 2025, the old low-band radio system (frequencies 33.86, 33.80, 33.82, and 33.84 MHz) has been officially retired. This change has been planned over the past two years, and all emergency agencies were notified in advance to prepare for the transition. With this retirement, the familiar midnight broadcast and low-band radio call sign “KGC-676” have also ended.

All fire and EMS stations now use the modern P25 digital radio system. Radio transmissions that were once on 33.86 MHz (Dispatch) have moved to 453.650 MHz. The new system also allows fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) teams to use secure channels when needed, while keeping normal communications unencrypted to ensure all agencies can work together smoothly.

The P25 system is also receiving a major update. This includes a second master site in a different location, which adds backup and improves system reliability. Once fully complete, the upgraded system will make emergency communications faster, clearer, and more dependable across the county.

“Upgrading the P25 digital radio system is a major step forward for public safety in Washington County,” said R. David Hays, Director of Emergency Services. “This upgrade ensures that our fire, EMS, and other first responders can communicate quickly, securely, and effectively, keeping our community safe.”

“Retiring the low-band system and fully transitioning to P25 marks a major milestone in how Washington County supports its first responders,” said Tom Weber, Deputy Director of Wireless Communications. “This modernization not only improves clarity and coverage, but also strengthens system resilience with new redundancies and enhanced capabilities. Our communications network is now better equipped to meet the demands of today’s emergency operations, and we’re committed to continuing these advancements for the safety of our responders and our community.”



The Division of Emergency Services thanks all fire, EMS, and public safety personnel for their support during this upgrade.

For more information, please contact the Washington County Public Relations & Marketing Department at pr@washco-md.net.