In 2012, public safety agencies in Hamilton County, Indiana engaged DELTAWRX to make recommendations to improve its dispatch environment on the heels of a challenging multi-PSAP consolidation.  For this assignment, we assessed the current environment, prepared a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the legacy CAD systems in use as well as a new CAD system under consideration, analyzed the financial and staffing impact of consolidation and prepared an implementation roadmap to transition Hamilton County Public Safety Communications (HCPSC), the newly formed emergency communications center, into a steady-state organization. 

 

In 2016, HCPSC engaged DELTAWRX to return to the County to conduct a dispatch operational assessment as an initial step towards accreditation.  To conduct this assessment, we interviewed HCPSC management, supervisors and line staff, shadowed Communications Officers, met with external stakeholders, including agencies for whom the center provides dispatching services, and reviewed relevant directives, policy manuals and documentation. 

 

We structured our assessment and recommendations according to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Communications Standards and covered general organizational issues, as well as direction and supervision, human resources, recruitment, selection and promotion, training, operations, and critical incidents, special operations and homeland security.  In addition, we considered the organization’s compliance with APCO’s Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators and other industry standards. 

 

Amid the dispatch-oriented engagements, Hamilton County engaged DELTAWRX to assist with the replacement of its proprietary EDACS radio system with a modern, standards-based P25 system.  We conducted an independent review of the technical proposals under consideration and identified potential risks.  Once the County selected a system provider, DELTAWRX was retained to provide project management oversight and technical subject matter expertise throughout the design and implementation phases of the project. 

 

As the Project Manager, DELTAWRX oversaw the contract schedule and budget, managed the vendor, provided technical expertise and assisted users with migrating to the new system.  We frequently presented to the County Commissioners, keeping them abreast of the project status and budget.  Following system deployment, DELTAWRX provided the County with after-care support for an additional year, as well as technical support on an as needed basis.