Accomplishments

Annex Facility Enhancements: Technology enhancements were implemented to improve operations at the Denco Annex during emergency events, which included:

  • A Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) System was installed to improve wireless coverage in the facility for first responders. Due to the nature of the facility’s ICC-500 hardened construction, radio signal penetration is severely degraded. The installation of the BDA System improves in-building radio frequency signal coverage enabling dispatchers and first responders to effectively communicate via their public safety radio systems.

  • An automatic transfer switch was installed to seamlessly move between the redundant generators in the event of power loss. The new switch will recognize a failure of the primary generator and automatically switch service to the back-up generator without human intervention. This level of automation provides best practice for mission critical infrastructure protection.

Federal NG9-1-1 Equipment Grant: Denco received $495,334 in Federal NG9-1-1 grant funds to partially offset the cost of equipment and software upgrades supporting the district’s 9-1-1 system. The Federal grant funded 60% of eligible costs, enabling Denco to proceed with planned upgrades despite the loss of revenue due to jurisdictional changes.

9-1-1 Equipment Refresh: 9-1-1 equipment, including answering positions, routers, switches, monitors/speakers and ALI/CAD output devices, was replaced at all emergency communications centers in the district. The more powerful workstations support enhanced software and data interfaces. Upgraded routers and a new, higher bandwidth IP network were implemented to enhance the data transmission capacity needed to accommodate additional data delivered with 9-1-1 calls.

9-1-1 Mapping System Upgrade: Denco completed transition to a new Esri-based mapping solution which includes integration with supplemental location information provided by Device-Based Hybrid (DBH) Location technologies imbedded in newer wireless phones. Denco integrated enhanced data provided by third-party clearinghouses with the 9-1-1 call handling equipment.

 

Indoor Mapping Project: In order to take full advantage of enhanced location data and pending FCC deadlines pertaining to the delivery of z-axis (altitude) data with 9-1-1 calls, highly accurate indoor maps are being developed for select public properties. As the public continues its migration away from landline telephone service, more and more wireless calls are placed indoors, causing increased challenges for determining location accuracy. The use of GIS data, indoor mapping, and emerging technologies makes it possible to receive 9-1-1 calls with highly accurate indoor location. An indoor mapping pilot project involving public school structures in the district was completed which paved the path to plan additional properties.

Expanded Social Media Education: Most public events in the district were canceled in FY2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. During this time, Denco launched several activities to enhance educational presence on social media. Campaigns were developed to create a consistent presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with important public safety messages.

Regional IP-Based Recording: A robust Internet Protocol-based (IP) logging recorder solution was installed in the Annex to log and record 9-1-1 and integrated administrative calls. This functionality is crucial in the event the backup ECC is activated. The system is available to all public safety agencies in the district as either a primary or back-up logging recorder. In addition to voice telephone calls, the IP-based recorder allows for the future recording/storage of multi-media content such as photos and video. Public safety agencies in the district already receive text-to-911 calls and in the very near future, will receive photos and video along with 9-1-1 calls. Many agencies in the district do not have the technical capability to log/record this enhanced data.

Training: Denco's training program was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several courses were canceled and courses conducted were participant limited at half capacity to allow for physical distancing. Efforts to safely test and train agency personnel included instituting daily health monitoring and enhanced sanitizing of the facility. In addition to continuing critical training programs, staff developed curriculum and all Denco agencies were trained on the new mapping system.