Police and fire departments around Berrien County are hoping to acquire new software that would enable them to see everything Central Dispatch sees when they’re responding to emergencies.
Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday, 911 Central Dispatch Director Caitlin Sampsell said the Mobile CAD Public Safety Software is currently used at dispatch and by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Niles Police Department, and SMCAS Ambulance. However, the other 47 first responding agencies in the county don’t have it. They’re looking to expand the use of CAD so all field responders can easily see everything they might need to know when heading to an emergency situation.
“They can see those call lists, so have situational awareness of what’s going on,” Sampsell said. “If it’s very busy, they can see other calls that are pending as well. Or if their partners on something, they call out needing help, they already know where they are and they can start that way. They can self-initiate some of those backup situations.”
Sampsell said the CAD software contains all sorts of details about a given emergency. It’s proven useful for the sheriff’s department, but many smaller police agencies wouldn’t be able to afford to buy in.
“Ultimately, the most driving factor of this is safety. Unit locations, knowing where the units are, where each other are when they’re in the field, the ability to see the CAD narrative, the notes in there.”
Sampsell said extending the CAD system to all first responders would come at a cost of $596,000 for implementation and the first year. The board of commissioners was asked to look for sources of funding, which might include the now-pending Michigan Public Safety Trust Fund.
County Administrator Brian Dissette said Sampsell has already met with state Representative Joey Andrews looking for help, and she had a meeting scheduled with state Senator Aric Nesbitt. Her goal is to have funding secured within the next six months.
