NCJ Number
67531
Journal
MOBILE TIMES Dated: (FEBRUARY 1979) Pages: 16-19,26
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF A COUNTYWIDE 911 SYSTEM FOR WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PA., IN ORDER TO HELP PLANNERS OR CONSULTANTS WITH SIMILAR PROJECTS.
Abstract
SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, AND THE BASIC GOALS OF THE DESIGNATED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BOARD (EMB) ARE DESCRIBED. THESE INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A FULL COUNTYWIDE 911 PLAN, PROVIDING EQUITABLE SERVICE, PROVIDING BASIC 911 SERVICE AND MINIMIZING DISPATCHING WHERE POSSIBLE, AND PROVIDING A FLEXIBLE AND EXPANSIVE SYSTEM. THE ARTICLE DETAILS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BASIC FIRE FREQUENCY ZONE BOUNDARIES AND FOUR COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLES. IT DISCUSSES THE INCLUSION OF IDENTICAL OPERATOR/DISPATCHER CONSOLE POSITIONS AND THE DUPLICATION OF EQUIPMENT AS BASIC PARAMETERS IN THE SYSTEM'S OVERALL DESIGN. KEY TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT OF THE PROJECT, WHICH INVOLVED THE BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NINE INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANIES, IS DESCRIBED. EQUIPMENT FEATURES ARE FORCED DISCONNECT, TONE APPLICATION, CALLED-PARTY CONTROL, RE-RING, AND SWITCHHOOK STATUS. THE ROLE OF CONSOLE DESIGN, ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER TERMINALS IS OUTLINED. OTHER SECTIONS COVER FIRE-RADIO-ZONE CONFIGURATIONS AND PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROJECT ACHIEVED ITS BASIC DESIGN GOALS AS SET FORTH BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE EMB WHILE STAYING WITHIN THE OVERALL BUDGET AND TIME SCHEDULE. (AOP)