Mary Washington Hospital in Partnership with the City of Fredericksburg Enhances Public Safety with New Distributed Antenna System

Fredericksburg, VA (May 1, 2025) – Mary Washington Hospital is proud to announce the installation of a state-of-the-art Distributed Antenna System designed to significantly improve radio communication coverage for local first responders within the hospital premises.

Hospitals are among the most challenging structures for public safety radio communication networks to penetrate due to their complex layouts and dense construction materials. The DAS addresses this issue by strategically placing antennas throughout the building to enhance the transmission and reception of radio signals where they are most needed.

The $268,000 DAS installation at Mary Washington Hospital ensures comprehensive coverage across the entire hospital. The implementation of the DAS brings numerous advantages to the community, including enhanced safety for first responders, hospital employees, patients, and visitors. It will improve situational awareness and resource coordination for emergency response teams, providing efficient communication capabilities during critical situations.

"Our department takes pride in ensuring the highest standards of safety and communication,” said Michael Jones, Fire Chief, Fredericksburg Fire Department. “The DAS installation at Mary Washington Hospital is a significant step forward in enhancing our ability to respond effectively in emergencies."

Eric Fletcher, MBA, FACHE, Chief Strategy Officer at Mary Washington Healthcare, added, "We are committed to investing in technologies that improve the safety and well-being of our community and our team members. The DAS system is a crucial enhancement that will support first responders and our doctors, nurses, techs and supporting team to ensure seamless communication within our hospital."

Mary Washington Hospital is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone within its facilities. This investment in advanced communication technology underscores our dedication to public safety and community well-being.