Columbus, OH (1888PressRelease)
October 27, 2009 - Crawford County, Ohio became the first 911 Center in the United States to answer Emergency 911 calls using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system via a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. The new technology is a true IP Based solution, making it Next Generation capable, and less expensive to implement, operate, and manage than traditional systems. More importantly, it increases the overall level of safety for Public Service Responders and the citizens of Crawford County.
Consolidation is the current trend in Public Safety. It reduces operating costs and increases Data Sharing among agencies, which increases the safety of the community. Alert Tracking Systems, a leading provider of Public Safety software and systems, helped Crawford County consolidate it’s 911 operations without closing a single call center or eliminating jobs. “Working in a time of economic hardships, the Sheriff made it possible to consolidate four PSAPS into one, without closing a single PSAP in his county and without a single job being lost,” said Alert tracking System’s President, Mark Gruber .
The county still operates four Dispatch Centers where they answer calls, except all four centers now run off the same Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, which is centrally located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and connected over MPLS. The CAD software, also a product of Alert Tracking Systems, allows any dispatcher in the county to see additional information about a 911 call, within seconds of receiving the call. This includes information like previous incidents at a caller’s address, or potential hazards such as outstanding warrants.
Nationally, the current 911 Emergency Network is over 40 years old, and unable to process digital communications. It has failed to keep up with the modern technology readily found in the private sector. Sadly, this can lead to tragic consequences in an Emergency Situation. This was the true case scenario during the tragic 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech. Students in classrooms tried to text message vital information and calls for help to Emergency 911 Services, but the old analog system simply could not process those calls.
Alert Tracking Systems, along with their partners Tranztec Solutions and Informer, designed Crawford County’s system to allow for the transmission of data in any form, including text messaging and video. With this design, and once the phone companies can handle the information, callers will be able to text, or send pictures and videos, instead of calling 911. This means that while it achieves the county’s goal of saving money, it also achieves the county’s ultimate goal, saving lives.
To learn more about Alert Tracking Systems, Inc., RESPONDER CAD, and NG 911, please visit www.alertts.com.
Alert Tracking Systems, Inc. (AlertTS) is a privately held company providing Public Safety Systems. AlertTS innovative and comprehensive product suite includes VoIP Next-Gen 911 Solutions, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and Records Management Systems (RMS) for Police, Fire, EMS, Court, and Jail.
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