How Edgefield County Sheriff Upgraded Their 911 Dispatch Consoles for 24/7 Emergency Response

Installation No. 25892

"What sets Sustema apart is their collaborative approach, attention to detail, and dedication to customer satisfaction. They not only met our expectations but exceeded them in terms of responsiveness, craftsmanship, and post-installation support."

-Amanda Moore, Communications Director. Edgefield County Sheriff's Office.

About the client:

It is the mission of the Edgefield County sheriff’s office to provide its population of approximately 27,000 and its visitors with professional law enforcement services. Located on the Savannah River, the sheriff’s department is responsible for covering an area of 506 square miles.

About the project:

Our client required a complete redesign of their dispatch consoles for emergency services since they were about to move into a new building. This included redesigned dispatch consoles that supported a lot more technology just their current IT equipment.

They were using fixed height consoles with a single worksurface. As part of their center’s redesign, they required additional workspace for each console. Also, all dispatch consoles had to feature height-adjustable dual worksurfaces. They main goal was to make their four dispatchers, and two supervisors feel much more comfortable by providing them with new ergonomic specialized furniture.

About the solution:

After discussing our various available solutions, our client chose the Transit Console, which is our most heavy-duty dispatch console. With its 12-gauge steel substructure and its high pressure laminated worksurfaces, our product met their specific requirements for their newly built emergency control room.

The furniture for this center is designed in the “cockpit” configuration, and each dispatch console occupies a footprint of 79 by 79 inches. This allows for them to be arranged in a closed pod configuration and connect to each other thanks to the integrated wall system.

To empower Edgefield’s 911 dispatch team, the Transit Console is manufactured using a steel substructure that supports the weight of the worksurfaces as well as the monitors and accessories attached to the worksurfaces. This metallic structure ensures the console remains operational 24/7 and prevents the worksurfaces to bend over time.

Mounted on the steel substructure are the height-adjustable worksurfaces. The Transit Console can be equipped with dual worksurfaces, where one is designated as the primary worksurface, and another one serves as the monitor worksurface. All the monitors, accessories, task lights and other peripherals like speakers are placed on the monitor worksurface. While keyboards and wireless mouse are placed on the primary worksurface.

For cable management, the Transit Console is equipped with grommet openings installed at both worksurfaces so that cables pass through it, and can be routed through the steel substructure, down the cable chains and directly into the CPU enclosures. Other cables like data and power sources can be routed through the wall support system which connects to the adjacent consoles, hence keeping all cables out of sight and secure. By using electrical raceways, data and power cables are kept separate and this in turn diminishes electromagnetic interference from the difference in voltages.

The HPL surfaces are scratch and stain resistant, as well as anti-static (meaning that it doesn’t not attract things like dust). To improve comfort when working long hours at the console, the worksurface features a urethane waterfall edge which provides a smooth surface for operators to rest their hands on and prevent stress-related injuries.

To improve the comfort of the dispatchers working at the console, the furniture is equipped with integrated heaters at the base of the console and cooling fans installed on the primary worksurface. Both of which are controlled with an integrated keypad.

To offer users easy access to data and power, the worksurface is equipped with a retractable monument featuring data and power outlets.

To complement the worksurfaces of the console, this setup included a Middle Peninsula with Storage with a worksurface that’s 6'2 by 3'2"that fits between 2 consoles. It features a grommet opening for a cable to be routed to the adjacent wall system, and 4 shelves for document storage and personal storage on both sides.

About the results:

The implementation of the new Transit Consoles has significantly enhanced the working environment for Edgefield County’s dispatchers and supervisors. A total of four dispatcher consoles were installed in an open pod configuration, with two supervisor consoles positioned to oversee operations. This layout, combined with the cockpit-style configuration, creates an immersive and focused workspace where monitors surround the dispatcher, reducing external distractions and improving situational awareness.

The dual height-adjustable worksurfaces have been a game-changer for ergonomics. Dispatchers can now customize the height of both the monitor and primary worksurfaces independently, allowing them to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout their shifts. This flexibility promotes better posture, reduces fatigue, and supports long-term health and comfort.

Integrating heaters and cooling fans allow each dispatchers to be more comfortable when workting at the emergency center, ensuring year-round comfort regardless of the room temperature. These are easily managed through a user-friendly keypad interface, which also controls surface height adjustments.

Cable management has been vastly improved with grommet openings, cable chains, and integrated raceways that keep power and data cables organized and out of sight. This not only enhances the aesthetics of the workspace but also reduces clutter and potential hazards, contributing to a safer and more efficient environment.

The addition of task lighting, articulated monitor arms, and anti-static, scratch-resistant surfaces further supports productivity and cleanliness. The urethane waterfall edge on the worksurfaces provides a soft resting point for hands and wrists, minimizing strain during extended use.

Finally, the inclusion of retractable monuments with built-in power and data ports ensures that dispatchers have quick and convenient access to essential connectivity, reducing downtime and streamlining operations.

Overall, the new console setup has empowered Edgefield’s dispatch team with a modern, ergonomic, and highly functional workspace tailored to the demands of 24/7 emergency response.

Read what our client had to say:

Ready to transform your control room?If you're planning a new control room or looking to upgrade your current setup, we’d love to help. Our team is ready to work with you to design a solution tailored to your operational needs and comfort. Contact us today to start building a workspace that empowers your team and supports 24/7 performance.