Announcement honors National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12–18
SANTA FE — When a wildfire jumps a containment line or a shooting unfolds across multiple jurisdictions, the radio network connecting New Mexico’s first responders can mean the difference between a coordinated response and chaos — and this week, the state announced that network is fully funded through June 30, 2027.
The New Mexico Department of Information Technology (DoIT) announced the funding during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18), which honors the dispatchers and communications professionals whose split-second decisions depend on reliable radio infrastructure.
New Mexico’s Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) spans more than 100 tower sites, delivers nearly 80% statewide coverage and connects 23,274 subscribers across more than 90 federal, tribal, state and local agencies.
“The men and women who keep New Mexico’s emergency communications running deserve a system they can count on,” said Manny Barreras, DoIT cabinet secretary and state chief information officer. “Fully funding DTRS through FY2027 means our first responders and the communities they protect can rely on seamless, statewide communications without interruption.”
DoIT has fully covered DTRS subscriber fees since 2024 and will continue doing so through June 2027 thanks to recent legislative funding. The agency is working with state policymakers on a long-term, sustainable funding plan for DTRS beyond FY2027.
During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, DoIT recognizes the dispatchers and communications professionals whose work depends on reliable radio infrastructure. “Thank you to New Mexico’s legislators and representatives for supporting this mission-critical system,” Barreras said.