Firetrucks, Ambulances Get Display Terminals
The city of San Diego plans to install up to 200 new mobile communications display terminals in its fire trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles. TriTech Software Systems’ wireless mobile system offers firefighters the same information that dispatchers get, including a map that tracks fire truck positions.
Some funding comes from a Homeland Security Department grant. Tech companies that were expecting more business after the agency’s creation have found instead that most of the agency’s funding went to its own infrastructure, and local public safety spending dropped as local agencies did more.
The focus is changing, but it is not possible to tell yet how new ederal funds will make their way through State and local governments.
“Our high priority right now is equipping and training the first responders,” says San Diego Homeland Security Director Augie Ghio. “You’ve got to cover the basics first before you go into some of the new homeland security technologies.”
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the San Diego Union-Tribune (10/22/04) P. C1; Bigelow, Bruce V.