NG9-1-1 is an initiative focused on updating the 9-1-1 service infrastructure in the United States and Canada to improve public emergency communications by leveraging emerging technologies in voice, text and video communications.
A Cassidian Communications customer since 2003, Douglas County Emergency Management averages 109,000 9-1-1 and administrative calls annually, and serves a population of more than 44,000 people. Agency officials point to system reliability, flexibility and ease-of-use as key factors in its decision to move from its existing VESTA® Pallas™ 9-1-1 call taking system to the new, VESTA/Sentinel 4 system.
"Over the years, we have found Cassidian Communications' VESTA Pallas system used in our emergency communications center to be very dependable," said Keith Kesler, director of Douglas County Emergency Management. "The design of the new VESTA/Sentinel 4 system fits well with our operational model and gives our call takers a familiar, user-friendly interface, shortening the learning curve. It also puts us well down the path of NG9-1-1 by accommodating future capabilities like text to 9-1-1."
Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Douglas County Emergency Management knows how fast the weather can turn and the importance of redundancy and geo-diversification for 9-1-1 call-taking. "With the VESTA/Sentinel 4 system, we can offload calls to other locations going forward, improving the survivability and reliability of our own 9-1-1 service," said Kesler. "This capability was another key factor in our decision to remain with Cassidian Communications and implement the new 9-1-1 call taking system."
At the heart of the VESTA/Sentinel 4 system is a highly configurable desktop user interface engineered to give 9-1-1 call takers an intuitive user experience. The system also accommodates roles-based login with multiple layouts and workflows. An advanced dial directory provides superior contact management and dialing control.
The VESTA/Sentinel 4 system is a primary building block within the integrated multimedia geospatial platform, which is currently under rapid development by Cassidian Communications. This comprehensive public safety communications system encompasses call routing and call processing, mapping, MIS and analytics, emergency notification, P25 land mobile radio and LTE, and crucial managed services such as real-time monitoring and response.
"With the addition of the VESTA/Sentinel 4 system, Douglas County Emergency Management is well on its path toward the future of public safety communications," said Mike Pavick, vice president of sales for Cassidian Communications. "We are honored to have our NG9-1-1 call taking equipment reside in their center and our technical team supporting their efforts every step of the way."
About Cassidian Communications (
www.CassidianCommunications.com)
Cassidian Communications, an EADS North America company, is a global leader and trusted source for mission-critical communications technologies, including NG9-1-1 call taking systems, emergency notification solutions and services, and P25 land mobile radio networks and LTE. For over four decades, Cassidian Communications has upheld its promise to keep people connected when it matters most, consistently designing solutions with an open mind and creating smarter, more effective ways to ensure communities are safe. For Cassidian Communications, CRITICAL MATTERS™. The company is headquartered in Temecula, Calif., with facilities located in Richardson, Texas, Franklin, Tenn. and Gatineau, Quebec.
About EADS North America (
www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS North America is the U.S.-based operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and related services. EADS contributes more than $14 billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports over 225,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers. EADS North America, headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems.
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