Emergency? Call Tallahassee
A new telecommunications hub for state law enforcement agencies has been established in Tallahassee, Fla., called the Regional Communications Center, the last of seven built across the state.
The center was designed to provide state-level emergency services for 18 counties spanning from Suwanee to Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, and redirects local 911 calls to the appropriate state agency.
The $500,000 hub now handles calls for such state agencies as the Florida Highway Patrol, the state Fire Marshal’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Juvenile Justice System.
The center features a new Computer Aided Dispatch system with software from SmartCOP, based in Pensacola.
Dispatchers now have access to a $100,000 computerized telephone network and digitized maps on PCs, and they can instantly connect to troopers’ notebook computers in patrol vehicles.
A new, high-tech radio system currently in use elsewhere in Florida is also being set up. According to communications center commander Capt. David Tripp, 20 dispatchers typically process 2,000 to 2,500 calls on a demanding weekend, including 911 calls.
Tommy Moore of the Florida Highway Patrol says the biggest problem facing the dispatchers is adjusting to the new system, which is expected to “a great improvement” when fully running.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Pensacola News Journal (05/28/03) P. 1C; Smith, Sean.