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Montgomery County 911 Center selected as Horizon Award Recipient

The recent installation of a state of the art Next Generation 911 capable Public Safety Answering Point with vendor guarantee to provide the hardware and software necessary to meet the new NG911 standard when adopted at no costs for the next four years, has garnered APCOs prestigious Horizon Award. The system consist of a 16 position PC based PSAP which are all configured identically for cross discipline capability. Additionally, the new PSAP is totally compatible with the computer aided dispatch system including data acquisition, GPS and AVL graphical display. Two parallel positions are provided outside the E911 area, one offsite PSAP/Console position is located at the Sheriff’s Office and another on-site PSAP/Console position is located in the Emergency Operations Center to provide redundancy as well as command and control capabilities.

This technology allows for forward migration to the new standard without interruption of service while still being capable of current operational needs. It further provides the ability to have uniformity at all positions (16) allowing multiple users the ability to perform their duties regardless of position location. Training can be accomplished live or simulation giving the novice the experience of actual call taking/dispatching without the liability.

Employees were trained on the new technology by the vendor and have migrated within a very short adjustment period. The system is user friendly and easy to learn. The addition of training and supervisor positions with uniform layout and functionality allows for personnel to operate in any location regardless of primary assignment. Feeling comfortable with this latest technology makes the transition to the new standards and capabilities less intimidating.

As well and the acquisition of NG911 PSAP the center simultaneously installed integrated PC based dispatch consoles attaining complete interoperable communications with all first responders within Montgomery County as well as all surrounding jurisdictions which include various frequency spectrums and protocols (VHF, UHF and 800/conventional, trunking, analog and digital).

Additionally, over the past year Director Loretta Bryant implemented a departmental training program with two training supervisors. These supervisors became certified APCO instructors. In the past six months all dispatchers have received certification in APCO’s Public Safety Telecommunicator Course. The Montgomery County E911 Center also implemented APCO’s Emergency Medical Dispatch program and all 32 dispatchers have received certification as EMDs. Dispatch supervisors have received training in APCO’s Communications Supervisor Course and Communications Training Officer Course. These are great achievements to have been accomplished in under one year.

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