NWCTPS utilizes the central core of the State of Connecticut radio system to operate our console and provide connection to each of our user community radio systems, as well as our own CMED radio system. This also affords us many additional benefits including redundancy, interoperability, access to countless State radio resources, 24x7 monitoring and remote access to all of our console radio channels. Utilizing the State core also affords the State and other PSAPs on the core the ability to share radio resources.
NWCTPS utilizes the Motorola MCC 7500 IP console. This console provides us with a flexible and expandable platform to meet and exceed our communications needs in the communication center. The console is capable of integrating analog, digital or “P25” channels, as well as conventional or trunked radio systems. NWCTPS utilizes all of these varied formats when interfacing with each of our user systems. Each dispatch console position allows dispatchers to access all radio channels and console functions at their fingertips. The console also provides door and access controls to local or off site locations, as well as monitoring alarms for intrusion, smoke, temperature and power status. Multiple simultaneous channel patches can be set up. Multiple combinations for multi-selects can be set for simulcasting on a number of channels. All radio positions utilize wireless headsets. All console modules have priority pre-emption over field units. The majority of our field units transmit unit IDs, which are readily aliased by the console and displayed on the console module.
NWCTPS has integrated their Motorola MCC 7500 console with the City of Waterbury’s EF Johnson 800 Mhz trunked radio system. This was made possible through an interface set up linking the EF Johnson system to the State core. This enables the Waterbury channels to be accessible on the Motorola consoles. These supplement the EF Johnson Stargate consoles currently in use at NWCTPS. This greatly increases our means of providing interoperable communications and incident coordination between the City of Waterbury and the surrounding Regional towns.
The MCC 7500 console combined with our utilization of the State core and its resources greatly increases our capacity for interoperable communications. Multiple control station radios located on site allow expanded capability of communications with Public Safety agencies other than our contracted communities. This includes local law enforcement, fire departments, commercial and volunteer EMS services. Our ability to utilize State resources allows us to communicate directly on State agency channels and talk groups, Regional law enforcement and State Fire channels and talk groups.
The NWCTPS CMED radio system is a network of radio sites designed to provide for the coordination of ambulance to hospital communications throughout our service area. Our main hubs are located in Watertown, Danbury and Meriden. Additional radio sites provide coverage for areas outside of these areas. These include Southbury, New Milford, Redding, Roxbury, Prospect and Seymour. Many of our sites host two or more stations, or “Med” channels to allow simultaneous radio traffic on the coordination channels, or to the various hospitals. Our six hospitals are linked directly back to our dispatch console through use of the PSDN and/or local Frontier Communications radio circuits. Our patching feature on our MCC 7500 allows us to seamlessly connect the hospitals with the Med channel that the ambulance is utilizing. We utilize the original 10 Med channels in our system, as well as the newer narrow banded Med channels allocated in 2014.
Built in redundancies are an integral part of our critical communications infrastructure. Between the PSDN, point-to-point microwave systems, local Frontier Communications radio circuits and control stations located on site, we are provided with a high level of reliability and redundancy. Utilizing the State core also affords us the ability to log into our radio console remotely from pre-determined locations outside of our dispatch center. This provides access to all of our console channels, resources and features. Several control stations located high atop Saint Mary’s Hospital provide direct radio backup connection to each user community’s radio systems. These also serve as our backups for the majority of our Med channels located throughout our CMED service area.
Utilizing the State core allows us access to many State agency talk groups, regional law enforcement and fire talk groups or channels, Connecticut State Police Hotlines, various Intercity channels, the ITAC/ICALL system, CSPERN and numerous others. New talk groups were recently created in the State system for interoperability purposes. This includes a NWCTPS talk group that can be utilized by field units, other CMED centers or PSAPs to communicate directly with us to coordinate emergency incidents or planned events. This also includes a statewide CMED talk group. This will allow field units, state agencies, CMED centers and PSAPs to communicate and coordinate large scale medical emergency incidents. We work closely with the State Network Control Center to request access to additional channels or talk groups when the need arises.
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