LTE  |   P25  |  2021-12-20

BK Technologies’ BKR 5000 Chosen by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

The BKR 5000 was designed and developed by the BK Technologies engineering team with extensive input from customers to incorporate the features and options needed by first responders.

BK Technologies Corporation announced that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) Division of Forestry has chosen the Company’s BKR 5000 portable communications technology for purchase and deployment for its lifecycle replacement plan.

BK Technologies has been a longstanding provider of portable communications technology to the Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry, supporting its oversight of 59 state forests, school trust acres and other forested lands, which total 4.2 million acres across the state. In addition to maintenance and management, the Division of Forestry is responsible for protecting lives and property from wildfires, working closely with the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS), an interagency group of state and federal partners who work together to address wildfires and all risk incidents through emergency response mobilization.

Tim Vitou, President of BK Technologies commented, “The Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry plays a critical role in the management and protection of the state’s vast footprint of forests and woodlands, and we look forward to continuing our long partnership as they begin a lifecycle replacement program for their portable communications equipment. With responsibility for an extensive geographic footprint and collaboration with other state and federal emergency service organizations, it is critical that the Division of Forestry maintains high-performing communications technology for the safety and efficiency its field operations. The BKR 5000 provides the highest level of durability and reliability, and has interoperability with legacy BK radios, a valuable benefit as the agency transitions to new equipment. We’re pleased to continue our role providing our critical communications technology to Minnesota’s Division of Forestry as it combats the risk and damage of fires across the state’s forest resources.”

The BKR 5000 comes in three tiers allowing maximum flexibility and customization for the user’s mission-critical needs and has been designed to meet the requirements of today’s tough Public Safety communications environment. The BKR 5000 was designed and developed by the BK Technologies engineering team with extensive input from customers to incorporate the features and options needed by first responders.

A full line of accessories is available including intelligent battery and charging solutions, IP68 remote speaker microphones, and the popular BK wildland fire alkaline battery “clamshell”. The new BKR 5000 is expected to be a platform that enhances BK’s ability to address significant new vertical markets leading to expanded growth and market share.