17 state of the art computer aided dispatch system with mobile data infrastructureCITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING SHEET
Submittal Date:
Originating Departrnent:
Presented By:
Agenda Item No.:
12/02/08
Council Date:
MIS
Russell Thrasher
17.
12/08/08
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Not an action item
PoLicY IssuE(s):
Pmject Update
BACKGROUND:
The City of Paris Police, Fire and EMS Departments, want to design, install and implement a state of the
art computer aided dispatch system with mobile data infrastructure, including field based laptops, police
and fire records management, and automated vehicle locators (GPS) to efficiently support the Police,
EMS and Fire Emergency Services.
It has become evident in the years since 9/11 that communication is everything when it comes to an
emergency - both voice communication and data sharing. While large amounts of data are available in
print and various other incompatible data sources throughout the city, there is no single seamless way to
get that data to the person that needs it in a reasonable and reliable time frame. The current computer
dispatch system we are using now was purchased in 1997 and went on line in 1999, and runs on a
mainframe server. That company went bankrupt and the founder soon thereafter passed away. The City
of Paris has been self-supported in this area, thanks in no small part to Asst. Chief Bob Hundley, who
has kept the Unix based system operational during this time. However, this system is not user friendly
and is no longer supported by anyone but expensive programming sub-contractors. Along with the
growing number of emergency 911 calls, this system is now stretched more than it was ever designed to
do and a major software and/or hardware failure may not be recoverable - putting the City of Paris
dispatchers back to pencil and paper. Time and need have eclipsed the present software. The new
system keeps officers in the field longer, reduces radio traffic for dispatchers, and improves reporting
and safety.
Funds were approved by the Paris City Council in May 2007 for this project. This project is on budget.
This is a presentation of the status of this project as it enters the maintenance and upgrades phase.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
E JGiiIBITS:
PowerPoint Presentation
ACTION:
BUDGET INFO:
❑ Financial Report ❑ Minute Onder
Expense
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❑ Department Report
❑
Resolution
Budgeted Amt
$
[Z Presentation
l
❑
Ondinance
yTD Actual
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❑ Pub
ic Hearing ❑ Other
Acct Name
Acct Number
FtsC,AL NoTES: Within budget
City of Paris
Revised 2/04/08
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
0 Administration Z City Clerk ❑ Community Development [D EMS/IT ❑ Finance ❑ Fire
❑ Municipal Court ❑ Legal ❑ Library ❑ Police ❑ Eng./Public Works ❑ Utilities
City of Paris
Revised 2/04/08
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