2013-389 EMS - NC 911 Board for 911 System Upgrades $625,828

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Orange County Emergency Services(OCES)is applying for funding to upgrade the department's 9-1-1 dispatch capabilities: •Upgrade from the current Gold Elite radio system to the Motorola MCC 7500 Console System. •Upgrade from the Cassidian ECS1000 telephone switch to the Sentinel Patriot phone system. •Expand the Priority Dispatch System by implementing the ProQA Paramount version of EFD(Emergency Fire Dispatch),EPD(Emergency Police Dispatch)and EMD(Emergency Medical Dispatch). •Add two new furniture positions. Orange County 9-1-1 currently uses the Gold Elite radio system for seven console positions and connects directly into the NC State VIPER radio system. According to the Motorola website,the Gold Elite radio system currently in use has been discontinued and they are phasing out equipment and technical support. North Carolina is moving to P25 VIPER sometime in late 2013/2014.Additionally,by acquiring newer technology with additional features,it will allow telecommunicators to obtain more information more quickly. This will improve response efforts and increase the potential of saving lives. In order for Orange County to continue direct connection to the State VIPER radio network it must replace current consoles with the Motorola MCC7500 Console.The transition to P25 by the State requires Orange County to upgrade the 9-1-1 Communications radio system to maintain connection with the P25 VIPER radio network.The MCC 7500 is the most advanced radio dispatching product from Motorola that supports and fully integrates into the P25 network.This product uses easy to understand icons,has the same user interface as the current system(allowing for easy transition),and provides telecommunicators with potentially lifesaving identifying information about radio users. With the transition to the MCC 7500 Console,Orange County will add four additional dispatch positions. With a steady increase in the Orange County population the additional positions will allow telecommunicators to handle the rise in calls.The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has approved the increase in staffing from seven(7)to eleven positions in the 9-1-1 Communications Center. Orange County 9-1-1 currently uses the Cassidian ECS1000 telephone switch with seven positions. The current phone system is not capable of using the IP based Next Generation(NG9-1-1)features of P25.These features include processing non-voice messages(texting/video), supporting data and communication needs for responders,as well as delivering the calls/messages and data to the appropriate PSAPs and other emergency entities.9-1-1 Communications will replace the ECS1000 telephone switch with the Sentinel Patriot phone switch.The Sentinel Patriot is the leader in NG9-1-1 call processing platforms. This switch allows for better processing of high volume calls,improved transfer processes, enhanced priority queues,and additional capabilities with the release of new NG9-1-1 functions.The upgrade to this switch will improve managing calls and will allow OCES to make the most of additional NG9-1-1 capabilities. Orange County 9-1-1 currently utilizes the Priority Dispatch EMD(Emergency Medical Dispatch)system and is looking to expand this by purchasing the Priority Dispatch EFD(Emergency Fire Dispatch)and EPD(Emergency Police Dispatch)systems to streamline the dispatch process and be in line with the State 9-1-1 strategy.When implementing these two systems OCES will purchase the interface software to allow for full usage of these systems. The EPD and EFD will enable telecommunicators to gather and better manage information while asking standardized questions to develop situational awareness and share a common operating picture among all response agencies. This addition will better prepare telecommunicators to gather consistent and actionable information. To promote sustainability in the 9-1-1 program,Orange County will purchase the EFD and EPD quality assurance packages,card sets,and materials for training purposes.The quality assurance packages are necessary to maintain the dispatch systems and maintenance schedules.The addition of the corresponding card sets will increase the preparedness of telecommunicators,as well improve resiliency in case of system failures. The purchase of this additional material will not only allow for supervisors to more effectively and efficiently train current and future staff by having extra materials for teaching purposes,but it will also prepare telecommunicators in case of system failure. If the computer systems fail,the card sets will continue to allow telecommunicators to acquire the necessary information from callers and provide that to responders. The redundancy in this equipment is critical to ensure 9-1-1 operations are continued and maintained during system failure. To enable OCES to capitalize on the added positions through upgrading the console and telephone switch,OCES will purchase two new furniture positions. The addition of these two positions will allow for increased productivity and processing of calls. OCES is interested in two full furniture positions offered by Motorola. Through purchasing this equipment and software,OCES will not only be operating on more up-to-date equipment but will also be able to continue operations as North Carolina transitions to P25.OCES will be able to improve telecommunications operations by better equipping telecommunicators with the ability to more quickly and efficiently process calls. This will decrease response times of responders and better inform them regarding the incident situation. Please provide an implementation strategy and work plan,including a timeline. The new Motorola Radio consoles will have the order placed in queue around the end of April 2013 with actual order and install completed once the State determines the cutover date for P25 which should be around the end of 2013 or early 2014.Once the State determines a cut-over date, 9-1-1 Communications will work with the vendor to receive the equipment,get it set-up,tested and installed.This equipment will be connected beside the existing equipment and once cut-over is complete the old equipment will be removed.While OCES begins for the State transition to P25,our 9-1-1 supervisors will begin undergoing the user training for the Motorola Radio consoles to allow for easier transition. The Sentinel Patriot Telephone Switch will be installed by the vendor in such a way that calls will not be interrupted during the transition from the old switch to the new switch.If approved and funded it will be installed in FY 2013/2014. The Priority Dispatch EPD,EFD if approved and funded,will be implemented in FY 2013/2014 and will be installed by the vendor along with the CAD vendor without interruption to dispatch functions.After installing this software,training will be provided to all personnel.telecommunicators The two new furniture positions will be installed,wired and ready for equipment if approved and funded to be implemented in FY 201312014. This will not interfere with ongoing dispatch functions and systems. Please identify the interface or compatibility between existing equipment and/or software and that which you intend to purchase. Not only are the current systems in place outdated,but they will be incompatible with the changes being made at the State level. Since the State will be transitioning to P25,and once that transition is made,the current systems used by OCES will not be connected with the State VIPER radio network. The request for the phone switch and radio system are necessary to maintain connection with the State and the additional EPD and EFD software will allow a more streamlined dispatch process. Additionally,the upgrade of the phone switch will enable OCES to take advantage of the NG9-1-1 features as they become available. The current equipment being used will be compatible with any of the upgrades requested.The only contingency is the purchasing of EPD and EFD software which will need to be purchased in conjunction with the interface software. The new furniture units will not interfere with ongoing operations. Statement of Need