By Amy Carr
The Berkshire Eagle
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All Rights Reserved
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department has begun operating a state-of-the-art $750,000 communications center that increases dispatching efficiency for emergency calls and improves radio communications.
“Our old system was failing miserably,” Police Chief Anthony J. Riello said yesterday at a press conference unveiling the new center and its equipment.
“We have a system now that not only police but also fire and EMS can take advantage of,” said Mayor James M. Ruberto, who was on hand yesterday. “This is second to none, and it’s important for every resident that we do whatever we can to save a second (of communication) time.”
The center, which began operating a week ago, is a drastic change from the old one, which was in a room filled with noise from printers, fax machines and banter.
The upgrade includes three identical dispatcher consoles, a 911 system, high-speed computers, an individual emergency generator and soundproof glass.
As part of the project, new radio equipment also will significantly increase the range and quality of emergency personnel communication, according to Riello.
The chief recounted one incident where an officer in a remote part of the city was unable to communicate with the station using the old equipment.
“We had several dead spots across the city. We were getting ready with the cans and string. Having seen that, we started to plan,” he said.
The recently acquired radio control system, an IPC Communications Control Systems TDM-150 model, ranks among the best in the nation. It currently is used by U.S. Capitol, Las Vegas and Los Angeles police departments, and by security at JFK Airport in New York City.
The timing of the communications center debut could not be better, according to Riello. Summer is the Police Department’s busiest season of the year; the station receives nearly 15,000 calls to 911 every year.
Besides saving time, one dispatcher told the chief that the new location provided about 50 percent less stress.
“It’s so quiet, it feels like I’m in church,” the dispatcher said.
The Pittsfield Police Department’s capital budget provided 70 percent of the project, which took 21 2 years from its planning to its execution. Homeland Security grants funded an additional 26 percent, and the remaining 4 percent came from area businesses.
Each dispatcher was required to take a two-day course on the new system, and a limited number of department members are authorized to access the communications center.
Following the official opening of the center yesterday, Riello said he is confident that the new system will help Pittsfield and Berkshire County.
“Just as important, the equipment we’ve installed will not be obsolete in 15 years,” Riello said. “We can grow with it and build on it.”