WITH DEVICE MANAGEMENT MANAGING RADIOS IS EASIER
There are challenges managing such a large fleet of 3500 radios but the ETSB has programs in place. “It would be impossible for us to track, maintain, and upgrade radios by just conventionally plugging them into a computer,” – John Lozar, Systems Coordinator, DuPage Public Safety Communications
Not every agency has a team available to manage a fleet of radios so Lozar highlights the value of working with Motorola. “Motorola Solutions has a complete line of device management services from the set up to radio commissioning, database hosting and software support; whatever an agency might need to make sure radios are read to perform for their agencies.”
"The radio is an important tool for every firefighter, officer, paramedic out there in the field. During any type of emergency incident, we can call for help, we can communicate with the dispatch center, we can depend on our radio. It’s our lifeline.”
–Bill Anaszewicz,
Deputy Fire Chief,
Elmhurst, Il
SOFTWARE UPDATES PROVIDE PEAK PERFORMANCE
“Everything now is software driven. From the standpoint of maintenance, it’s easier to be able to maintain them, because you can actually hook up a computer to them, you can analyze them, you can get raw data, you can do updates if you need changes to be done.”
“I think it’s critical to update your radio software because, not only do you have feature updates that may make your job easier, but there’s also bug fixes. There might be a situation that’s occurring in a radio and the bug fix will resolve it, it’ll make your organization more efficient and it’ll make your job actually easier.”
–John Lozar, System Coordinator, DU-COMM
COMPLEXITY MANAGED, CALM PREVAILS
With public safety communications there is a complex network of technology and radios that keep operations running smoothly. When the technology is managed correctly it is often forgotten by the users using the system.
“It’s the confidence that the systems are running 24/7,” shared Zerwin. “It has to work all the time, everyday, holidays, weekends, middle of the night when our citizens are sleeping. We have to have the confidence that it’s working all the time. Because in our position you’re never really 100% calm because you’re dealing with people in emergency situations or critical situations, so it allows you to be calm because you have faith in your equipment.”
“Complexity managed, calm prevails is a great term for what we do,” said Tegtmeyer. “It’s the environment that we have where there’s so many things going on behind the scenes. When you put all these tools and systems in front of a highly trained telecommunicator, they’re able to save lives. And at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing they do is that they save lives by being the calm voice and by having a reassuring tone and being able to answer the call and dispatch the appropriate police, fire, and medical services.”
“It’s a calm voice. It’s me speaking for you when you can’t. It’s me protecting you, and knowing where you are when you don’t. When everything in your head is scrambled, and you have no idea what you need, I’m going to figure that out for you.”
–Sam Hall, 9-1-1 dispatcher Addison Consolidated Dispatch Center.
THE THIN RED LINE, GOLD LINE AND BLUE LINE
The Thin Red Line of DuPage County Fire
Learn more about the importance of consistent radio communications in DuPage County
The Thin Gold Line of DuPage County PSAPs
See how consolidation and integration have brought together all the Public Safety agencies in DuPage County.
The Thin Blue Line of DuPage County Police
The impetus for radio integration in DuPage County is explained.
Download the Full Case Study
CONSOLIDATION AND RADIO INTEGRATION LEADS TO BETTER AGENCY COLLABORATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY, IL
DuPage County is embracing radio integration and consolidation and has become more efficient in their communications for the safety of their community. Read how they are not only communicating better but using device management and consistently updating their software in order to be at their peak performance using Device Services.
Download the case study