3 mistakes public safety agencies make when designing their backup emergency communication center

There is no standard for backup centers. The backup system used in most jurisdictions is driven by cost and availability of options. While no 2 centers have the same requirements, here are 3 mistakes to avoid when planning a backup emergency communications center.

1.Not giving the backup center is own separate location.

If the backup center uses the power grid and telecommunications network, in the event of failure at either of these systems, the backup service will also go offline. It is recommended that modern emergency communication centers must be designed with geographically diverse logical and physical pathways and systems to ensure no reduction in call handling effectiveness, with failover and self-recovery components.

2.Designing the backup center as a small scale & temporary extension of the main PSAP.

As yourself this question: How do you stay operational if the main center goes down? Even if the backup center is located at a separate geographical location, if it is not properly equipped, the quality of emergency services will be affected. A backup PSAP must feature its own radio core, phone systems, CAD systems and emergency power, ensuring that even if the main center goes offline, the backup location can remain fully operational for as long as it is needed.

3.Not using community resources and partners already in place.

While the data points to a redundancy of services there appears to be no one perfect system. While some backup centers are newly built, it is also possible to leverage community partners and establish a relationship that can be mutually beneficial. This could look like using available space in an educational building or nearby community college. An example of this would be Morris County’s Backup 9-1-1 backup center.

How does a backup dispatch center look like?

It is important to have a backup site equipped with a backup system, 9-1-1 phones, computer-aided dispatch, radios, electrical power distribution and dispatch consoles. Same systems and same functionality used in the primary public safety answering point. First responders have become more dependent on technology, and resources are becoming more and more specialized, therefore it is necessary to track them and dispatch them efficiently. Either through a primary or a backup center.

We can help you design and build your new 9-1-1 backup center with dispatcher control room furniture that meets the demands of public safety answering points. Contact us to get started.