Pennsylvania PSAPs share resources virtually by leveraging next-gen 911 solution from Cassidian Communications
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Pennsylvania PSAPs share resources virtually by leveraging next-gen 911 solution from Cassidian Communications
Indeed, the addition of Erie County to the regional 911 network raised the number of participating counties to 10. The other counties served are Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Warren.
Physical PSAP consolidation—locating all PSAPs in a geographic region at a single facility to leverage the advantage of combined resources—has been among the most significant trends in the 911 arena. But establishing regional networks that provide real-time connectivity between existing PSAPs has become an increasingly popular alternative, because it achieves many of the same goals without the “political nightmare” that often accompanies a physical-consolidation effort, according to Ken Schuler, Cassidian Communications account manager.
“That’s the trend we’re seeing everywhere,” Schuler said during an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications.
McGrady echoed the sentiment that regional interconnectivity typically is preferable to physical PSAP consolidation in most circumstances.
“You get all the benefits of consolidation, but you still get to keep your PSAP open,” he said.