BDA / ERRCS installation and testing, in-house with an FCC GROL
Firefighters need their radios to work inside your building. Owner Eddie Pagan personally holds an FCC GROL license, so Divine Fire & Security designs, installs and tests emergency responder radio systems in-house — no third-party tester or install partner to coordinate.
FCC GROL held in-house since 2022 (Edgardo Pagan) · PCTEL Certified Public Safety Tester
From grid survey to annual retest
Grid survey
We measure public-safety radio signal on a grid, floor by floor, to see whether the building meets the AHJ's coverage requirements and where the gaps are.
Design & install
If coverage falls short, we design and install the BDA system ourselves — donor antenna, amplifier and indoor antennas — to fill the gaps. No outside partner.
Acceptance test
After installation we test again and prepare the grid report the AHJ needs for approval.
Annual retest
We return each year to demonstrate coverage and keep your documentation current.
Testing is done by our PCTEL-certified team: Divine Fire and Security is listed as a PCTEL Certified Public Safety Tester.
The tester must hold an FCC GROL
Authorities having jurisdiction such as the City of Orlando require the radio signal survey to come from a communications specialist holding an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL). Osceola County also requires a GROL holder.
Eddie has held his FCC GROL since 2022. Because he holds a GROL personally, we survey, design, install, test and retest without bringing in an outside RF firm.
Certified tester
PCTEL Certified Public Safety Tester
City of Orlando references
BDA / ERRCS photos
BDA / ERRCS questions
What is a BDA / ERRCS?
An Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERRCS) makes sure firefighters' and police radios work inside a building. A bi-directional amplifier (BDA) with a donor antenna and indoor antennas is the most common way to boost public-safety radio signal where the building blocks it.
Who is allowed to do the radio coverage survey?
Some AHJs require the survey to be performed by someone holding an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL). The City of Orlando, for example, requires a grid report from a communications specialist who holds an FCC GROL (City of Orlando requirements). DFS owner Eddie Pagan holds an FCC GROL, so we do this testing in-house.
Does my building need a BDA?
Not always. The first step is a grid survey that measures public-safety radio signal floor by floor. If coverage meets the AHJ's requirements, you may not need an amplifier; if it does not, the survey shows where the gaps are and we design and install the system.
What does the City of Orlando require?
Per the City of Orlando's published requirements: a minimum −95 dBm inbound and outbound signal strength with Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ) of at least 3.4, 99% floor-area coverage in critical areas (such as fire command centers, fire pump rooms, exit stairs and elevator lobbies) and 90% in general building areas, and a grid report for every floor. Requirements change, so always check the current City of Orlando page.
Is testing a one-time thing?
No. The City of Orlando states that properties that submitted grid reports must demonstrate minimum radio strength annually or at the AHJ's request (existing building requirements). We can handle the annual retest.
Do you work in Osceola County and Kissimmee?
Yes. We are based in Kissimmee and serve Osceola County, Orlando and Central Florida. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm the local AHJ's criteria before testing.