Current Issue Highlights

Cover Story - May/June 2009

NENA 2009: The 9-1-1 Conference and Trade Show Preview

NENA

The 2009 NENA 9-1-1 Conference and Trade Show will be the highlight event of the year! The annual conference offers many unique opportunities for attendees to learn about their industry, interact with their peers and advance their careers through professional development, educational courses and certification as an emergency number professional (ENP).

Making the Right Call with Advanced Weather Technology

Dan Buck

When handling an emergency, responders need to be aware of inclement weather conditions to ensure their own safety and keep the public out of harm's way. By using advanced technology and proactively monitoring weather, emergency professionals will always be able to make the right call.

The Pros and Cons of 9-1-1 Dispatch Consolidation: Experts Weigh In

Christine Andrysiak and Ted Mallires

Some local communities have already consolidated, thereby saving money and increasing efficiencies. Other communities, however, remain unconvinced. How much savings does consolidation really provide? How long does it take? What other benefits or drawbacks should be considered?

The Journey to Next Generation 9-1-1: A Spotlight on Your GIS, MSAG and ALI Systems

Morgan Sava and Eric Regnier

Although onsite ALI is not always the optimal solution for 9-1-1 entities across the board, it creates a real-time data environment for those who successfully implement it.

VoIP SIP 9-1-1 Calls? Not As Hard As You Think

Nicholas Maier and Bill Mertka

Native Voice over IP (VoIP) 9-1-1 calls sent using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are a lot closer to becoming reality than most people think. However, PSAPs shouldn’t be worried because low-cost solutions will be available to allow handling SIP 9-1-1 calls with in-band location information without having to "forklift" upgrade existing PSAP equipment.

Data Communications System Procurement 101

Clint Hugghins, PE, ENP

If or when a Data Communications System component replacement is eminent, the following procurement steps are recommended.

Trainers - Don't Love Consistency

Sue Pivetta

Strategic inconsistency can bring you consistent success.

Life in the Day of a Dispatcher

Jeff Moss

Dispatching has taught me to hug my loved ones a little longer and say "I love you," a little more often.

Dispatch Stress: I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own

Greg Warner

Stress in dispatch is real, but the source of this stress may lie more in the culture of the center then the job itself.

Public Private Partnerships and PSAPs

Tom Woods, AIA, LEED AP

In economic times where Capitol improvement budgets are under financed, leveraging an agency's facilities or land to fulfill a capitol project may be an option for consideration.

From Time Gaps to a Streamlined Process

Patrick Kiernan

NICE Systems' multimedia incident information management technology has helped to position Monterey (CA) Emergency Communications Department to provide better service to all of its customers.

Staying on Top in a Growing City

Angelina Ruiz

Fort Worth Police Department's Communications Division serves its citizens quickly and efficiently.