THE BUZZ: 911 Call Center Ribbon Cutting

The Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications recently held the official ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new 911 Call Center.
**********************************
Learn more about PWC Public Safety Communications:
www.pwcgov.org/government/dep...
Subscribe to the Prince William County Newsletter:
eservice2.pwcgov.org/eservice...
***********************************
Prince William County has a newly renovated Public Safety Communications Center with state-of-the-art technology and room for growth.
Public Safety Communications Director Eddie Reyes said that the pre-renovation technology in the call center at the George T. Owens Building, at 3 County Complex Court, was antiquated and had not been updated since 2003. “What we replaced was 17-year-old technology, furnishings and equipment, and this was overdue,” Reyes said.
The new renovation, which took eight months to complete, will provide more options for the call takers. Some of the improvements include quicker electronic access to warrants to allow police officers to receive them faster to be more effective in the field, Reyes said.
The renovation will allow the center enhanced methods soon to improve communication with the public via text messages, enhanced caller location accuracy, and provide the ability to receive photos and videos from callers during a real-life emergency. The center can transmit text, photos, and videos to first responders in the field as the Next Generation 9-1-1, or NG911, is rolled out, Reyes said. “That’s another huge improvement that this renovation will bring us shortly.”
Prince William County Executive Chris Martino thanked the people who take the calls. “The public safety communications staff are a critical part of the whole response network and system, and they do a fantastic job.”
Martino went on to say that the renovation will put the county in a better position to serve the community. “This facility is so critical in nature. We’ll benefit as we go down the road.”
Jarad Phelps, the acting Prince William County chief of police, said the newly renovated call center’s technology will make it easier to protect county residents. “It’s amazing in being able to do that. To be able - number one to keep Prince William County citizens safe - but also protect our first responders.”
As the county population grows, the number of calls to the center will also increase. The renovation will allow for future expansion, Phelps said. “It allows for potential future growth … and again trying to make sure everything is done the right way each and every time.”
Reyes said including the option for future growth was prudent. “We have to prepare for that in the future.”
Public safety communications call takers answered calls at the county’s back up call center at the Prince William County Western District Police Station while the renovations took place. There were no interruptions in service in the move to the backup call center. Operations continued uninterrupted during the move back to the Owens building. Renovations at the Owens building and outfitting the backup call center cost a total of $1.25 million, Reyes said.
***********************************
Prince William County Social Media
Facebook
/ pwcgov
Twitter
/ pwcgov
Instagram
/ pwcgov
pwcgov.org
[e-mail]
703-792-6606