Mary Rose Roberts
Mary Rose Roberts is the associate editor of Urgent Communications, formerly Mobile Radio Technology magazine. She can be reached at maryrose.roberts@penton.com
LOWELL, Mass. – Feb. 26, 2009 – Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems, a worldwide leader of critical radio communication systems, today announced that its P7200 portable public safety radios have been certified for use on the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) by the Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT). The P7200 radios were drive, feature, field and bench- tested. The MDIT also evaluated and tested the radio’s software and security features before approving the P7200 for use on the MPSCS.
“The Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems P7200 radios perform reliably on the MPSCS,” said Bradley A. Stoddard, Director, Michigan Public Safety Communications System. “We are pleased to provide agencies throughout the state of Michigan with an additional option of portable radios approved for use on the MPSCS. We look forward to working with Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems on the approval process of additional portable radios and communications equipment on the MPSCS.”
The Michigan MPSCS is a Project 25 (P25) compliant trunked radio system operating in the 800 MHz frequency band. The statewide system serves more than 12,000 federal, state and local public safety agencies and is comprised of 231 tower sites serving over 40,000 radios.
“We are proud that our P7200 portable radios have been officially approved for use on the Michigan Public Safety Communications System,” said Paul May, Business Development Manager, Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems. “Both the MPSCS and Tyco Electronics staffs have worked hard to verify that Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems’ P7200 goes beyond P25 compliance and meets the operational needs of MPSCS users. Ultimately, the P7200 portable radios will not only give Michigan’s first responders a multi-mode portable radio, but will bring increased competition and better selection for public safety agencies around the state. We are working to make a number of Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems’ products compliant with MPSCS standards and look forward to increasing the selection to those on the statewide system.”
Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems’ P7200 portable is a public safety-grade, digital two-way radio that provides dual-mode TDMA-capable operation, multi-mode functionality and digital voice and Internet protocol (IP) data communications.
ABOUT TYCO ELECTRONICS
Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, undersea telecommunication systems and wireless systems, with 2008 sales of $14.8 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliance and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With nearly 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics’ commitment is our customers’ advantage. More information on Tyco Electronics can be found at http://www.tycoelectronics.com/.
Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is a leading supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets. Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability and security. More information about Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s solutions can be found on the Web at http://www.tewireless.com
# # #
· The TE logo and Tyco Electronics are trademarks.
· Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NEC Corporation of America (NEC), a premier provider of network, IT and identity management solutions, announced today the Emergency Telephone Systems Board of Grundy County, Illinois has successfully deployed its digital microwave radio systems to enable quick, inter-agency communication and enhanced sharing of critical safety information between the County’s public safety agencies.
Grundy County sought to upgrade its legacy communications infrastructure to improve access to critical citizen safety information across county-wide law enforcement, fire department and emergency medical locations.
The NEC solution deployed includes a mix of NEC digital microwave radio solutions, including the NLite® E and NLite L radios. To connect the County’s Public Safety network with the County’s general IT infrastructure and traffic-highway department system – all over an IP environment – Grundy County turned to NEC’s NLite E point-to-point wireless access system. The radio system offers Grundy County a scalable solution with throughput levels of over 150 Mbps within a 30 MHz bandwidth, which is essential in ensuring high availability of the County’s back-end communications system. Additionally, when Grundy County is ready to implement an all IP infrastructure, NEC’s NLite E system will allow for a flexible migration path.
For last mile needs, Grundy County implemented NEC’s NLite L radio system. Offering flexible bandwidth capabilities and short-haul access links for IP networks and mobile backhaul, the NLite L radios support quick access to information across various sites. Having immediate access ensures rapid response and communications by public safety officials.
“We upgraded our public safety network because we wanted a communications infrastructure that could ‘weather the storm,’ literally,” said Chris Kindlespire, director, Emergency Telephone Systems Board, Grundy County. “Our legacy network experienced way too many hiccups and would be at the mercy of rough snow and rain storms. Once we deployed the NEC NLite system, our public safety network was working at optimal performance, ensuring ‘always on’ communication and access.”
In order to provide 24/7 support for Grundy County’s public safety network, the NEC system provides automated monitoring of the network’s Ethernet traffic and server performance. Furthermore, its management system is proactive in identifying potential network issues; enabling consistent reliability for first responders.
“Grundy County required an enhanced public safety communications infrastructure that would be reliable, scalable and budget-friendly,” said Jim Limanowski, central regional sales manager, Radio Communications Systems Division, NEC Corporation of America. “We sought out a solution that would meet Grundy County’s needs while addressing issues of network performance and investment protection; ensuring our NLite family of digital microwave radios would be flexible enough for Grundy County’s future growth initiatives.”
The NLite L and NLite E are part of the NEC NLite family of products, which employs a common platform to provide scalable configurations to respond to a diverse range of market needs. The NLite family offers a multi-mode transmission solution using 10/100 Base-T and T1 (1.544 Mbps) interfaces; and with the addition of the NLite E’s Gigabit Ethernet interface, NEC can enable throughput levels of over 150 Mbps within a 30 MHz bandwidth. The new system is also compatible with various interfaces including 1000BASE-T (copper) and 1000BASE-SX/LX (fiber), which allows for flexible adaptation to an all-IP network, for which continuous growth is expected.
For more information regarding NEC’s radio communications technologies, please visit http://www.necam.com/rcsd.
About NEC Corporation of America
NEC Corporation of America is a leading technology provider of network, IT and identity management solutions. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, NEC Corporation of America is a North America subsidiary of NEC Corporation, and delivers technology and professional services ranging from server and storage solutions, IP voice and data solutions, optical network and microwave radio communications to biometric security, virtualization and digital cinema solutions. NEC Corporation of America serves carrier and both SMB and large enterprise clients across multiple vertical industries. For more information, please visit www.necam.com.
HICKORY, NC, February 25, 2009—Continuing with its recent HELIAX® 2.0 cable family launch, Andrew, the CommScope, Inc. division that is a global leader in wireless communication systems and products, has introduced new and upgraded cable accessories that each fulfills more installation requirements.
Andrew’s new SnapStak™ stackable snap-in hangers, Compact Weathershield™ weatherproofing kits, Universal SureGround™ grounding kits, and galvanized grounding bars work with both HELIAX 2.0 FXL aluminum and AVA copper coaxial cables. The accessories can help wireless operators increase their utilization of available tower and mounting space, reduce installation times, and better protect network investments.
“The wireless market needs the utility of reducing the number of individual products for which they have to account,” said Andrew’s Stan Catey, group vice president, Cable Products and Towers. “By continuing to integrate our HELIAX 2.0 cable product solutions into a rationalized, comprehensive family, we can offer customers enhanced solutions that accommodate whichever cable line they require.”
Operators with limited tower space will appreciate stacking either aluminum or copper cables with Andrew’s SnapStak hangers in lieu of expensive tower extension parts. The Compact Weathershield is 24 percent smaller to fit multiport antennas and other small devices, and with a new slide bar function, can reduce installation time significantly. The Universal SureGround kits conveniently fit all smoothwall and corrugated wireless cables within a nominal size range, while the galvanized grounding bars provide an inconspicuous yet effective grounding buss that will not attract copper thieves’ attentions.
Andrew’s new cable accessories follow the same dual-function as the company’s EZfit® universal connectors, which also fit both HELIAX 2.0 aluminum and copper coaxial cables. Andrew is the first transmission line supplier to offer customers a complete solution for their RF transmission line needs. Both HELIAX 2.0 cable types are available as feeders in a complete range of diameters or as cable assemblies.
– END –
HELIAX and EZfit are registered trademarks and SnapStak, Compact Weathershield, and Universal SureGround are trademarks of CommScope, Inc.
About CommScope:
CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV – www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its Andrew® brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® brands, CommScope is a world leader in network infrastructure solutions, delivering a complete end-to-end physical layer solution, including cables and connectivity, enclosures, intelligent software and network design services, for business enterprise applications. CommScope also is the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The United States Navy has officially designated the Previstar Continual Preparedness System (CPS) as the Navy Emergency Management Incident Management System (Navy EM-IMS). Previstar’s CPS is being deployed to the Navy’s 6 Continental United States (CONUS) Regional Operation Centers (ROCs), including 103 CONUS installations as well as the Commander’s Washington DC-based Headquarters Installation Support Center (ISC).
The system’s robust suite of capabilities will be used by Navy Emergency Management personnel for all phases of an All Hazards approach to emergency management including Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Naval Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) Emergency Managers and watch standers will utilize the CPS as the daily use tool for all facets of incident management and incident support activities, both emergent and non-emergent. By utilizing Previstar CPS, the Navy will be compliant with the tenets of the National Incident Management System – Incident Command System (NIMS-ICS), as defined by the National Response Framework (NRF).
Previstar CPS enables the Navy EM-IMS to be the primary collaboration tool for resource management, multiple agency response coordination and situational awareness via interactive, intelligent maps, user definable forms and status boards. This enhanced situational awareness will promote efficiency and effectiveness when seconds count most.
Previstar’s Common Alerting Protocol, (CAP) compliance supports the Navy’s objective to develop and maintain EOC’s with the ability to better collaborate with non-DoD response partners at the local, state, other service and Federal Agency levels. The 2009 CONUS deployment will prepare the NAVY for an ongoing global implementation into 2010.
About Previstar
Previstar provides a suite of web-based, software products — primarily to the emergency preparedness and response communities, the armed services, and homeland security industry—for managing the incident lifecycle including planning for, responding to, and recovering from all hazards incidents and events.
Organizations have used Previstar’s products to develop exercise and emergency plans, prepare for bioterrorism attacks, recover from hurricanes, and enhance nursing home preparedness. Web-based and easy-to-use, these integrated products enhance unified planning, situational awareness, strategic decision support, and tactical execution for users located horizontally and vertically across organizational boundaries.
Previstar’ technology originated from the Department of Energy’s Oakridge National Laboratories and offer the industry’s only product, CEMPlanner, which facilitates the planning process and generates standards based plans.
The company is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and conducts research and development activities at its facility in Knoxville, Tennessee.
For more information, please visit our website at www.previstar.com or contact: Joe Gordon, AVP Marketing, joe.gordon@previstar.com, 813-244-7774
MELBOURNE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The State of Florida Division of Emergency Management awarded Melbourne-based viaRadio Corporation an annual contract worth $419,533 for a County Warning System Pilot Program following a competitive bid. Beginning March 1, 2009, the pilot program will actively cover Brevard, Orange, Pasco and Polk Counties.
The company will also provide the State with more than three thousand HEARO receivers as part of the contract. Officials will use the technology to communicate with county staff, emergency management team members and in some cases residents of each county on subjects ranging from urgent safety concerns to road and school closures.
The viaRadio Local Alert System sends unlimited, time sensitive text messages to citizens and local emergency management as well as state and regional entities. viaRadio’s HEARO receivers acquire text messages in English and Spanish through standard FM radio frequencies. Using FM radio infrastructure, the viaRadio emergency warning system works even when power, phone and Internet are out. HEARO radio receivers also carry NOAA weather warnings and have a 60-hour battery life in case of power outages. The HEARO continues working when Internet and phone lines are down.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to provide the citizens of Brevard, Orange, Pasco and Polk with an effective and reliable warning system,” says Sean Crane, viaRadio vice president. “This pilot program will set the foundation for a statewide emergency communication system.”
In addition to the four counties outlined in the contract, viaRadio also has existing systems in several other Florida communities including Palm Bay, Indialantic as well as Brevard County and Leon County Public Schools.
viaRadio Corporation provides warning systems to governments, school/university systems, emergency managers, hospitality organizations, and other large organizations in the U.S and Caribbean. The systems include user-friendly software systems designed to trigger instantaneous text alerts to HEARO receivers. Systems in operation provide warning and post-event information for natural weather phenomena including tornado, hurricane, fire and volcanic activity. Founded in 2005, viaRadio Corporation, along with its parent Germany-based 2wcom, are worldwide leaders in RDS/RBDS equipment and data systems. For more information about viaRadio or the HEARO, visit www.viaradio.com.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lenovo today announced that it is designating eight ThinkPad laptops for use in field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments such as in public safety, utilities, construction and the military. The ThinkPad X200, X301, X200s, X200 Tablet, T400, T500, R400 and SL300 laptops meet a barrage of military specifications tests and are enhanced with uniquely-designed durability features such as an airbag-like protection system and a roll cage in select models. Because field computing requires excellent screen viewability, Lenovo is also adding a new optional 680-nit high brightness panel to its most popular laptop, the ThinkPad T400 laptop.
Military Spec Tested Against the Elements
Baked, battered, blistered and blown with sand, Lenovo put the lineup of eight ThinkPad laptops through the gauntlet to pass a significant number of specifications for military-grade computing.
The ThinkPad laptops met tests for:
Low Pressure – Tests operation at 15,000 feet
Humidity – Cycles 95 percent humidity through the environment
Vibration (operational and non-operational) – Jostles and jolts the laptops to make sure they can withstand shocks
High Temperature – Simulates high heat conditions by baking the laptop up to 140°F
Low Temperature – Tests operation at -4°F
Temperature Shock – Fluctuates between -4 and up to 140°F to test operation
Dust – Blows dust for an extended amount of time
The tests confirm the durability and reliability that many customers already rely on to battle the elements. Geophysicist, explorer and expedition leader Pasquale Scaturro travels to the far reaches of the planet with his ThinkPad laptop.
“For over 180 days a year I can be found on the road traveling with my ThinkPad laptop -sweltering in the hot jungle terrain and surviving frigid arctic and mountain blasts,” said Pasquale Scaturro, Exploration Specialists, Inc. “From bugs and humidity, to sand and dust, heat and cold, my ThinkPad laptop has been exposed to them all. I’ve logged more miles on my ThinkPad in the roughest and most extreme environments in the world than perhaps any person alive. From the heights of Mount Everest to the full length of the Nile, the world’s longest river, it’s been with me. The Active Protection System is a must in the rough environments I’ve taken this laptop into. Besides using my ThinkPad to help me navigate in my airplane when I’m flying in the African bush (it’s my real co-pilot) and send Internet dispatches to my website from Mt Everest, I depend on it to keep my geophysical business and my personal connections going. It has withstood every imaginable environment on Earth and is still performing without missing a beat.”
Click here to view photos of the ThinkPad laptops going through the torture tests. Additionally, the Lenovo ThinkPad laptops pass more military specifications compared to Dell’s ATG laptops and Panasonic’s business-rugged and semi-rugged laptops1.
Optimized for Outdoors
As the adoption of laptops increases and connectivity options continue to expand, users are spending more and more computing time outdoors. That makes screen visibility extremely important. For a crisp and easily readable experience, Lenovo is equipping the ThinkPad T400 laptop with an optional high brightness, wide angle screen, making it nearly four times brighter than previous ThinkPad laptop screens. The high contrast screen eliminates reflections with its anti-glare finish. And by using energy-efficient LED technology, the laptop maintains long battery life.
Police Departments like the Conover Police Department in North Carolina are using ThinkPad laptops to turn their patrol cars into mobile offices. Reduced time spent at the station writing reports gives officers extra time on patrol to protect their community. Officers are using ThinkPad T Series laptops to write and print incident reports, issue tickets and conduct criminal background checks from their cars. For IT Director, Chris Niver, Lenovo’s engineering made ThinkPad laptops the easy choice.
“Although not billed as a ‘ruggedized’ laptop at the time, the features offered far surpassed the other manufacturers. The fact that the ThinkPads came with a roll-cage design, shock resistant hard drive, built in security chip and the familiar red button as well as touchpad all as standard features really made my choice clear.”
Built Upon a Strong Foundation for Low Total Cost of Ownership
Lenovo engineers extra durability and reliability features into its ThinkPad laptops to help them survive all-weather conditions, lasting longer and outperforming competitors and leading to a low total cost of PC ownership.
Lenovo durability features include the:
Active Protection System – Temporarily parks the hard drive when the laptop detects a fall or sudden movement via an air-bag like system
Roll Cage – Serves as a protective frame around the internal components where the data resides and processing takes place with an extra top cover roll cage on the ThinkPad X301 laptop
Shock-Mounted Hard Drive – Offers extra protection around the hard drive to protect data
Spill-Resistant Keyboard – Withstands spills of up to two fluid ounces on select laptops allowing liquid to drain beneath the keyboard
In case of the unexpected, Lenovo offers Warranty and Accident Protection plans to help customers protect their PC investment. Lenovo also offers ThinkPlus Priority Support to give businesses around-the-clock technical telephone support, priority routing of calls and quick onsite repair. For an even faster response, ThinkPlus Priority 4 Support provides onsite repair within four hours after the original troubleshooting. Online Data Backup services are also available.
“ThinkPad is well known for quality, reliability and innovative security technologies for business computing,” said Tom Ribble, director, Worldwide ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. “We’ve always built tough laptops that can weather extreme conditions from hiking the rainforests of the Amazon to flying in space. You don’t need a PC that looks like a tank to excel in harsh environments, and unlike many of our competitors, we don’t put an extra charge on toughness.”
Built upon a strong foundation, Lenovo’s laptops offer the latest technologies with models including solid state drive storage for reliability, switchable graphics for longer battery life and the latest Intel® Centrino 2 processor technology for fast processing. They also come with choices of large hard drives, multimedia like Blu-Ray DVD players and a host of wireless connectivity options including WiMAX, mobile broadband, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. Lenovo has also collaborated with AT&T and Ericsson for price reductions on ThinkPad laptops with AT&T mobile broadband connectivity. Additionally, the ThinkPad X200 Tablet is the first Tablet to offer WiMAX connectivity.
Pricing and Availability2
The ThinkPad T400 laptop with the high brightness screen is available through Lenovo business partners beginning immediately. Pricing starts at approximately $1,350.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
1As stated publicly on 2/24/09 on www.dell.com and www.panasonic.com.
2Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
Times Microwave Systems has recently introduced a new series of improved watertight end caps for use with its popular series of LMR Bundled Cables. These end caps are constructed with a heavy duty ABS plastic shell along with a 100% silicone rubber gasket and cushion. Independently tested and easy to install, these rugged end caps are available in three configurations:
EC-BC400-7B
EC-BC400-9B
EC-BC240-12B
Features and benefits:
- Rugged UV/sunlight resistant design
- Independently certified to IP-68 for water ingress
- Quick and easy installation with just an Allen wrench
Each end cap has a list price of $50.00.
LMR® cables are low loss, flexible, non-kinking RF transmission line cables that utilize easy-to-install connectors and are suitable for use as antenna feeders, system jumpers and interconnects.
About Times Microwave Systems
Times Microwave Systems has over 60 years experience in designing innovative, high-reliability, coaxial cables and assemblies for demanding interconnection problems. An engineering oriented organization, the company specializes in the design and manufacture of high performance flexible and semi-rigid coaxial cable, connectors, and cable assemblies for RF transmission from HF through microwave frequencies.
For further information:
Kevin Moyher: Product Manager, Times Microwave Systems
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – DCC (Dialogic Communications Corp.), a PlantCML® company and global leader in emergency notification technology, today announced the release of The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1. Already the industry’s most respected crisis communications solution, this DCC update delivers even greater functionality through a number of new, robust features and product enhancements. Among these modifications are increased security measures, expanded remote activation capabilities, improved text-to-speech and the addition of several new system reports.
Application security has been strengthened by adjusting the minimum requirements for PINs and passwords within The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1. System administrators have gained tighter control over users who are logged in, or locked out, of the application, helping them better manage permissions. The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1, will also now send notifications to designated individuals, alerting them once a notification “scenario” has been activated or the back-up system has been accessed.
Remote activation has been significantly expanded, allowing notifications to be initiated from any HTML-supported mobile device (e.g., BlackBerry®, Palm, Nokia, etc.). Users of The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1, will also discover more flexibility in building groups and in the handling of the application’s “Instant Activate” option and its settings. Additionally, administrators will appreciate the ability to customize the email ‘from” address and phone number appearing on caller ID displays, as this will dramatically increase the likelihood messages will be listened to, read or retrieved.
Other features include the replacing of the application’s speech recorder with Nuance Vocalizer, a powerful text-to-speech (TTS) software application from industry leader Nuance Communications, Inc. This modification provides remarkably high speech quality, as well as an upgrade to The Communicator!® NXT’s voice recorder. A variety of new system reports are now available, providing organizations with comprehensive and undisputable documentation, both during and following notifications.
“As we continue to build upon our emergency notification suite of solutions, it is imperative for the DCC team to keep the communications needs of our extensive and loyal customer base in the forefront,” says Scott Alfieri, DCC President. “This release is just one example of our commitment to our clients, and I know the best is yet to come.”
Like previous releases of The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1 is designed to augment an organization’s ability to communicate quickly, safely and effectively in a crisis. The web-based application is available as an on-premise, hosted or hybrid (combined) solution, includes fully integrated paging, faxing and text messaging capabilities and offers an easy-to-use API (Application Program Interface) for third-party development. The Communicator!® NXT, version 4.1, is also backed by DCC’s industry-renowned technical support, ensuring 24/7 readiness for any emergency notification need.
About DCC
DCC (Dialogic Communications Corp.), a PlantCML® company, is the global leader in emergency notification technology. Its on-premise and hosted solutions are used by hundreds of public safety and private security operations every day, ensuring their communications readiness for virtually any critical or routine need. DCC was established in 1982, and is located in Franklin, Tenn. (a suburb of Nashville). To learn more about DCC, call 800.723.3207 or visit www.dccusa.com.
Overland Park, Kansas – February 24, 2009 - How can 911 Authorities partner with MLTS-PBX customers for precise location information without a huge investment?
That answer is easy if you are an agency using 911 Datamaster Software. Allowing access through a web interface called WEBDBMS provides this ability. While the management of MSAG-valid addresses still resides with the agency providing the ALI Database, granular information behind a MLTS-PBX can be managed by the private entity. This can be as simple as sending updates files through WEBDBMS, or by actually managing onsite moves, adds and changes directly. The level of access is agreed to and strict security protocol is applied.
The need for expensive onsite one-off solutions is replaced. No additional hardware is needed for implementation.
“We have provided this capability for many years.” states Eric J Regnier, Vice President Business Development and Strategy at 911 Datamaster. “Today’s cash-strapped businesses should not have to decide between cost and employee welfare. We provide an option that not only increases data quality, but is a stepping stone for Next Generation 9-1-1 Private/Public Safety partnerships.”
About 911Datamaster
911 Datamaster, founded in 1993, focuses exclusively on E9-1-1 database software, offering innovative high-performance, scalable solutions. The growing suite of traditional and NG database products is deployed throughout the United States and abroad, including small on-site deployments, statewide solutions, and highly-secure Department of Defense installations.
APCO’s Next Generation Project RETAINS Study Identifies
Additional Public Safety Communications Staffing Trends and Issues
February 23, 2009, Alexandria, Va. – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a follow-up report to its Project RETAINS (Responsive Efforts to Assure Integral Needs in Staffing), which finds the national telecommunicator turn-over rate at 19 percent, an increase of three percent since the initial study conducted in 2005 and higher than the better-known turn-over rates of nurses and teachers. The report also includes highly sought-after guidelines to estimate the appropriate staffing levels for dispatchers.
“Too often it takes catastrophic events to shed light on the urgent contributions public safety communications work makes to our nation’s well being,” APCO International President Chris Fischer said. “During more routine moments, public safety professionals labor well out of the public eye and, often, with limited resources and insufficient support.”
Seeking to assess the conditions under which communications centers are employed, APCO International established Project RETAINS, which resulted in a 2005 report and the Project RETAINS toolkit. This second Project RETAINS study, Staffing and Retention in Public Safety Communications Centers: A Follow-up Study, sought to extend APCO International’s knowledge of communications center staffing issues not addressed in the first study and to gauge the degree to which Project RETAINS has proven useful.
This report examined communications centers’ retention rates, employees’ organizational commitment, and employees’ psychological distress. Despite the broad differences between centers of different size, location and type, a number of patterns emerged in this study that hold relevance for the nation’s communications centers. First, the overwhelming majority (83 percent) of centers have experienced an increase in the number of dispatched calls in the previous three years. In addition, rates of retention are significantly affected by the hourly salary which starting employees receive and the flexibility of work schedules. Further, the findings draw attention to the need that employees express for greater support, recognition, and appreciation, whether from their supervisors and center directors or from the public at large. Finally, communications centers that have used the Project RETAINS toolkit indicated that retention had significantly increased over the past three years.
“Project RETAINS was created to provide our organization with a better understanding of the issues experienced by our members and effective ways to address them and, by those standards, we have succeeded,” Fischer said. “However, we continue to battle with the goal of awareness and truly believe that full success will not be realized until the public has a greater understanding of and appreciation for the work of these talented and dedicated professionals.”
The full report of this study is free for APCO International members and can be downloaded at http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains_at_a_glance.php. Members of the press interested in receiving a copy of the report or talking with someone about the findings should contact Courtney McCarron Hastings at mccarronc@apco911.org. A summary of the report is available to the public at http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains_at_a_glance.php. For more information on Project RETAINS, visit http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains.php.
###
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
Stay up to date on the latest news. Select press representatives post company news several times a day. Check back often to get the latest news on product releases, mergers and acquisitions, and product applications. To be included in this virtual press conference, please contact The Briefing Room
