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Metcad technical information
METCAD operates thirteen county-wide radio communications networks which support public safety communications for member police and fire agencies. The vast majority of the radio equipment in service today is MOTOROLA Two-Way Communications Equipment. These radio networks operate from nine transmitter sites strategically located throughout the county. Each of these radio frequencies is available to all Telecommunicators on duty at any of our six dispatch consoles.
The METCAD Consoles are equipped with Motorola Centralink 9-1-1 telephones. Among the many features of the 9-1-1 telephone system is our subscription to the AT&T Language Line
Nearly all of the law enforcement vehicles in the county are equipped with Motorola Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's) operated on the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority network known as ALERTS. ALERTS is a radio network which covers a large portion of the State of Illinois providing computer network connections for the MDT's. Police Officers utilize the MDT's to run computer checks on things such as drivers licenses, vehicle license plates, wanted persons, guns and other articles, etc. Officers can also communicate between the dispatcher and each other to keep communications confidential. In addition, unlike normal voice communications via radio, communications are possible between agencies which may be located in different parts of the state via the MDT's.
In early 2000, Champaign County public safety agencies will switch to a new mobile data network, IWIN. IWIN will allow officers to have a direct wireless link with the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system at METCAD and allow for greater functionality in the mobile device. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
As mentioned, METCAD upgraded the 9-1-1 service from basic type III to Enhanced 9-1-1 on March 5, 1996. The upgrade replaced a Plant Equipment telephone system with a Motorola Communications, Inc. Centralink 9-1-1 telephone system. This system serves both the dispatch and administrative offices.
We migrated to our third-generation Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system on November 14, 1999. Tiburon, Inc. is the vendor of the new system. The new software is much more user-friendly and intuitive. This system assists Telecommunicators in dispatching and tracking emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Group 1 Resources, Inc. served as consultant and project manager for this project.
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