Ohio County Deploys VoIP 9-1-1 System Using MPLS

10/26/2009 2:52:00 PM

(10/26/09) Crawford County, Ohio, became the first U.S. 9-1-1 center to answer 9-1-1 calls using a VoIP system via a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, according to vendor Alert Tracking Systems. The county operates four dispatch centers, except all four centers now run off the same CAD system, which is centrally located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and connected over MPLS.

“Working in a time of economic hardships, the sheriff made it possible to consolidate four public-safety answering points (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 CAD software, also a product of Alert Tracking Systems, allows any dispatcher in the county to see additional information about a 9-1-1 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.

Alert Tracking Systems, along with 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 9-1-1.

www.radioresourcemag.com

Press Release