Dispatch center to receive equipment upgrades through state funding

MILPITAS, CA — State of California will help upgrade Milpitas Police Department’s communications center and maintain the city’s 911 system through a state reimbursement program.

Milpitas City Council voted unanimously on consent Nov. 15 to appropriate $8,040.18 into the police department’s operating budget for the communications center upgrade, and accept a reimbursement for an equal amount from the state’s Public Safety Communications Office.

“This is something that’s paid for by the state,” Milpitas police Lt. Sandy Holliday said after the meeting. “The state collects fees from phone service subscribers to maintain the 911 system.”

Holliday added Milpitas Police Department requested, and was subsequently approved, to pay contractors $5,141.28 to move and change radio, phone jacks and related equipment. Also, the work will involve $2,898.90 for replacement parts for existing dispatch chairs.

Milpitas Police Department last year was allotted $141,000 to upgrade the phone lines and customer premise equipment that is funded and paid solely by the state.

Milpitas Police Department previously requested, and was subsequently approved, to upgrade the following items using 911 funds from vendors with California Multiple Award Schedule contracts. That work, costing $124,255.49, involves replacement of audio systems, mapping systems, computer monitors, headsets, dispatch consoles, and chairs and related office furniture.

According to Holliday, all of the work will help improve the city’s 911 dispatch facility at the police department one used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and employs a total of five dispatchers.

“Even though the last upgrades to the communication center were made in 2005, it’s always being used; the equipment has exceeded its life expectancy,” she said. “If we didn’t get the equipment replaced we wouldn’t be able to handle the 911 calls.”

The upgrades will likely take place by mid-January. She added no interruptions to 911 service will occur during the work.

Read the story here.

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