Hamilton County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District announces a partnership with ADS Security to implement technology designed to improve 9-1-1 call processing and response times to alarms for the residents of Hamilton County.
The new technology is called Automated Secure Alarm Protocol, or more commonly referred to as ASAP to PSAP. A PSAP is a Public Safety Answering Point or 9-1-1 Center. It allows alarm companies like ADS Security to send their alarm reporting calls electronically to 9-1-1 operators, while bypassing the need to physically dial into the center and convey the information over the phone. This also saves the time spent by an operator who would have traditionally keyed the information into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in order to send the call to a dispatcher for response.
Additional information is also sent to the 9-1-1 operator such as addresses, names and alarm information, as well as “instant messaging” to provide real-time dispatching updates between the PSAP and alarm company.
"Implementation of the ASAP to PSAP system will help eliminate the potential for clerical errors, cut call volume to the 9-1-1 Center, and most importantly, reduces 9-1-1 call-processing times by as much as 2-3 minutes. This will help save lives, protect property, provide faster response times to in-progress events, and potentially help apprehend more criminals," officials said.
“The district is very appreciative of ADS Security’s support and work in helping us bring this new technology to our citizens,” said John Stuermer, executive director for Hamilton County Emergency Communications District. “ADS demonstrated great leadership and commitment to providing the highest level of alarm service response to their customers.
"As a leader in the Public Safety Communications field, the district continuously looks forward to finding innovative and technology-driven ways to serve our citizens and client agencies who help protect the lives, homes and businesses in our community. With a recently upgraded CAD system through Tritech Software Systems, the District is able to take advantage of all the Next-Generation 9-1-1 features currently available as well as future enhancements," officials said.
Hamilton County Emergency Communications District is the first agency in Tennessee to utilize the new ASAP to PSAP technology.