Hardeman County [Tenn.] Saves Time and Money by Implementing New NG9-1-1 System

May 30, 2012 - PRLog -- Residents of Hardeman County, Tennessee, can rest a bit easier these days, safe in the knowledge that their new Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) emergency answering system is fully operational. Driven by two competing yet compatible requirements—upgrading to the latest in VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology while consolidating three agencies into one to save taxpayer money—county officials selected a turnkey solution from microDATA GIS Inc. to replace its existing legacy 9-1-1 system.

Prior to the introduction of this new 9-1-1 system, Hardeman County was saddled with outdated, proprietary equipment—in other words, hardware and replacement components that were available only from a single source. The microDATA solution is designed around common, off-the-shelf elements—a basic desktop computer, brand-name servers in the backroom, and standard USB-type cables and connectors—that are easily replaced in the event of unexpected downtime.

And speaking of downtime, something even the most robust system can experience, Hardeman County’s new call-handling network is fully redundant. In the event a core component fails, which could be a computer part, a telephony gateway switch, or even a power supply, an identical device or element is already online and ready to accept the workload with no interruption in service. At each of the three call-taking positions, there is a backup telephone device where calls are automatically routed if the desktop PC suddenly loses its ability to operate—even in the middle of answering an emergency call.

These behind-the-scenes improvements, however, are overshadowed by the benefits now available to the 9-1-1 call takers themselves. The highly user-friendly microDATA interface offers each operator the ability to answer and/or transfer a 9-1-1 call with a simple mouse click. The caller’s phone number and location pops up on the widescreen monitor even before the call gets answered. If there have been past 9-1-1 calls from a particular number, that call history is also displayed on the screen, as well as any notes the previous operator may have added about the caller or the incident in question.
Hardeman County 9-1-1 supervisors can now actively monitor all emergency calls, whether privately or as an active participant on a conference call basis. Outside agencies—poison control, ambulance service, police and fire, social services, etc.—can also be brought onto a call by the operator doing nothing more than quickly clicking an onscreen icon. There is even a built-in instant messaging feature that interconnects each of the three positions.

Training was an integral part of the microDATA pre-launch agenda. Hardeman County’s emergency call-handling team was deeply involved in all aspects of the process. Because microDATA designs NG9-1-1 systems for all manner of emergency calling districts—from three-seat PSAPs (Public Service Answering Points) like Hardeman to multi-county co-ops with dozens or even hundreds of on-duty operators—the company offers a dizzying array of features and functions. Everyone at Hardeman had a chance to weigh in on which features they wanted turned on or off, based upon their experiences during training. Within limits as established by the systems administrator, each call taker may choose the custom screen layout that works best for them. Those settings remain part of their personal profile, even if they sign in from a different workstation position the next time they are on duty.

The consolidation of three responding entities into a single, cohesive unit has provided Hardeman County with a considerable economy of scale. All 9-1-1 calls are now routed to a central location, instead of to three separate agencies. Also, the county has reduced its expenditure to a single radio system and single CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system. Each of these factors adds up to speedier reaction times for first responders such as police, fire, EMT, and so on. When lives are at risk, this is clearly the most important savings of all.

About microDATA:
In business since 1983, microDATA has built a number of innovative solutions designed to improve the process of handling 9-1-1 emergency calling services, including the impending use of text and video. By combining GIS (Geographic Information Services) technology with Internet Protocol capabilities, the company’s core services—and its dedication to i3-compliant NG9-1-1 solutions—offer to the public safety industry a new generation of map-centric solutions that reduce response times, lower infrastructure costs, and ultimately save more lives.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr. Sam Bard, Director of Sales and Marketing
microDATA
5613 DTC Parkway, Suite 950
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel: (800) 722-6663, x895
sbard@md-911.com
www.md-911.com

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