DISPATCHERS IN THE CLOUDS by Marc Shaw ... - State of California

While many of the cutting-edge technologies needed to create cloud-based consolidatedcommunications centers exist (or are on the cusp of existing) it is imperative that a commonstandard for radio and voice protocols be developed to create a level playing field for agenciesseeking to transition to a cloud-based model. As an example, in 1989, Project 25 (P25) wasinitiated by public safety agencies and manufacturers in the United States. The purpose of P25was to address the inability of first responders to communicate with one another, whichnegatively impacted coordinated response efforts, increased response times, and compromisedofficer safety. P25 addressed the need for common digital public safety radio communicationsstandards for First Responders and Homeland Security/Emergency Response professionals.New initiatives, similar to Project 25, should be drafted to ensure all manufacturers developproducts along a common platform, which will allow them to be integrated into a variety ofapplications.As the dispatch center business process is re-engineered to coincide with cloud-basedoptions, it should also provide commonalities that will allow for implementation of P25protocols on a variety of scales based on the size and scope of the organization. Using theCalifornia Highway Patrol as an example, 25 communications centers are scattered across theState. Some are housed in undersized patrol stations, while others are modern standalonefacilities responsible for large geographic regions. Many of the smaller centers are grosslyinadequate and due for replacement. Given the current economic climate, however, fundingreplacements for the 20 outdated centers is certainly unlikely. Integrating a cloud-based modelopens a number of possibilities.Using the cloud, the CHP could establish a few large communications centers to managecommunications for sizeable geographic regions, aligned with the eight field divisions that