West Haven Launches New 911 Communications System

Written by MICHAEL P. WALSH

WEST HAVEN, CT — Officials Monday morning launched West Haven’s new computer-aided dispatch system that city police and fire departments, as well as the University of New Haven Police Department and local emergency medical service personnel, are now using to optimize performance and response.

The launch came at what city officials described as a “news event” held by Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and Robert S. Schwartz, deputy chief of the West Haven Fire Department, at police headquarters on Sawmill Road.

O’Brien, who was flanked by public safety brass from the city and UNH, opened the event by addressing the news media corps.

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“When I took office in 2013, one of my first meetings was with Deputy Chief Schwartz and (911 Communications Center Director) Abe Colon, who briefed me on the need to upgrade our communications systems,” O’Brien said. “It seemed like we were out of Band-Aid options, and we had to move ahead and get it done. I am very proud that with the help of the City Council, we found a way to fund this upgrade.”

“West Haven will (now) have better communication coverage and an elimination of ‘dead spots’ throughout our city,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien then turned the program over to Schwartz, who demonstrated the NexGen Public Safety Solutions data-sharing software system, including how it tracks which firetrucks respond to a structure fire. The state-of-the-art technology also tracks each firefighter inside a structure.

NexGen, based in East Haven, “is recognized throughout Connecticut police departments and state agencies as the state standard in law enforcement technology,” according to the company’s website.

Schwartz, who is also West Haven’s emergency management director, said the city is one of the first municipalities in Connecticut to implement the federally mandated upgrade for its 911 communications system.

The $3.4 million system, which went live earlier in the morning, is being financed by the city.

Aimed at increasing efficiency, the system is in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission’s “narrowbanding” requirements and will provide the city with a significant cost savings, Schwartz said.

The event was also attended by Deputy Police Chief Joseph Perno, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Peter V. Massaro and Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito, West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien and West Shore Fire Department Chief Stephen Scafariello.

UNH was represented by Ronald M. Quagliani, associate vice president of public safety and administrative services, along with Police Chief Mark DeLieto, Assistant Chief Donald Parker and Fire Marshal Christopher J. Reed.

After Schwartz’s presentation, Colon led reporters on a tour of the 911 center, which included demonstrations of the dispatchers’ adjustable, ergonomic workstations. The dispatchers are known as telecommunicators.

Colon said the city is expected to roll out its other communications upgrade system in the near future. The Motorola Solutions Point-to-Point microwave radio system is for city public safety and Department of Public Works personnel.

PHOTO CAPTION: During a “news event” Monday morning at police headquarters, Mayor Edward M. O’Brien discusses West Haven’s new computer-aided dispatch system that city police and fire departments, as well as the University of New Haven Police Department and local emergency medical service personnel, are now using to optimize performance and response. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)