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Police Station Unveils New Communication CenterBy Jen Thomas - July 31, 2007
Pittsfield - During a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning, the Pittsfield Police Department unveiled a completely updated communications center that will ensure continued police station efficiency and greater public safety.
In operation since June 24, the communications center boasts a new radio control system, base stations, computer equipment and environmentally-friendly consoles for employees made from recyclable materials.
“The old system was failing and it needed to be replaced,” said Alan Zawistowski, the police department’s communications and information systems director.
One of the major catalysts for the upgrades - which were launched in November 2004 - were the existence of communication “dead zones” for police officers in the field. In some parts of the city, officers were unable to contact the dispatch station at the police department.
“We have 100 percent coverage in the city now,” said Zawistowski.
The police department also has access to more than one radio channel, which allows both special events officers and regular shift officers to reach the dispatch station at the same time.
Additionally, the installation of an emergency generator ensures that the police station remains fully functional during any power outages.
“We had issues and we’d lose power. Now, the generator makes sure we stay up and running during storms and floods,” said Zawistowski.
The cost of replacing the 20-year old communications center was $750,542.42 and took 2 ½ years to complete. The new center meets standards set by the Telecommunications Industry Association that allows for cross-agency communication during emergencies, the National Fire Protection Association for the installation, maintenance and use of emergency services communications systems, as well as all the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria.
For a police station that receives 39,000 police calls annually (along with 15,000 emergency 911 calls and 8,000 fire and emergency medical services calls), the upgrades will mean increased productivity for dispatchers.
“It’s a busy place and now we can handle a lot more call volume. We can focus directly on dealing with callers and units in the field,” said Zawistowski.
With a more effective communications system behind the city’s police force, Zawistowski said he believed the benefits to the public would be substantial.
“A police station’s being effective helps the community; it’s a huge advantage,” he said.
Seventy percent of the funding for the renovations came from the Pittsfield Police Department Capital Budget requests and 26 percent came from Fire Department Homeland Security grants.
Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23. |
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