The Mission-Critical Resource Center

The Case for Push-to-Talk in Public Safety

In Summary:

• First responders have long depended on traditional land mobile radio (LMR) systems that feature public safety-grade radios and infrastructure.
• While commercial networks are typically not ideal for public safety use, as they can become overloaded during an emergency, commercial push-to-talk (PTT) technology could benefit public safety.

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In this whitepaper we explore the pros and cons of commercial PTT technology for public safety, including the improvements to commercial PTT capabilities and the cost-efficiencies the technology offers for agencies. 

Regional Computer-Aided Dispatch Models

In Summary:

• For years, public safety communications systems have operated as standalone systems that are used to serve the citizens of a single geographic area.
• As communities have grown, the need for improved communication between dispatchers and first responders, and across jurisdictional lines, has increased. 
• Agencies across the country have begun to consider regional models for their computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and other public safety systems in order to improve efficiency, share resources with other agencies and reduce costs.

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In this whitepaper, we explore two models of regional CAD systems and explore the pros and cons of each one. 

How Relocation of T-Band will Affect Public Safety

In Summary:

• Public safety licensees in some of the nation's top metropolitan areas that currently operate in the T-Band will need to transition their land mobile radio (LMR) systems before 2023.
• The FCC will reallocate this spectrum via auction as part of the enactment of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.
• Agencies with LMR systems currently on the T-Band face considerable challenges in transition those systems in advance of the 2023 deadline.

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This whitepaper discussed the challenges that agencies face during the transition from the T-Band, provides a transitional timeline and offers tips and information for making the transition.

On-Demand Webinar: Assessing Your Communications Networks and Leveraging the Results to Make Improvements

The strengths and weaknesses of your current public safety communications networks can be difficult to quantify and communicate to agency leaders and other officials. To support this effort, Mission Critical Partners launched the Model for Advancing Public Safety^SM, or MAPS^SM, an assessment tool designed to provide a visual representation of a network’s strengths and weaknesses. How can MAPS help your agency assess, quantify and communicate the current state of your communications network and how can the results be used to encourage decision-makers to make improvements?

Memphis Police and 911 Communications Enjoys a Rebirth with MCP's Support

In Summary: 

• Memphis Police and 911 Communications was challenged by aging infrastructure, antiquated systems and an understaffed 911 center.
• To help overcome these challenges, the Shelby County 911 District completed two 911 center staffing studies, built a new state-of-the-art 911 center, and an upgraded computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Today, the situation in Memphis has taken a 180-degree turn. The District has decreased their average time to answer a call from 90 seconds to 6 seconds.

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On-Demand Webinar: Workforce Optimization

In public safety, staffing has become the proverbial “thing under the bed,” the one operational aspect that keeps PSAP leaders up at night. While personnel churn has always been a challenge in the industry, today it is exacerbated by a healthy economy, with many telecommunicators leaving for less stressful, better-paying jobs, and a shrinking candidate pool.

A Blueprint to Help Public Safety Organizations Understand Their Environments

 In Summary:

• For public safety officials, the task of monitoring and assessing the myriad technological and operational factors that determine the center's success or failure is a big, complicated and time-consuming job.

• Leaders need help understanding where their centers stand regarding factors such as cybersecurity, IT and networks, next generation 911 (NG911), staffing, and more.

• MCP's Model for Advancing Public Safety^SM, also known as MAPS^SM, is a proprietary assessment program that helps assess a program against standards, best practices, and the collective knowledge of MCP's 115+ specialized public safety professionals.

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On-Demand Webinar: FirstNet Preparation Strategies

Are you ready for the delivery of your state's deployment plan of FirstNet?  

Listen to this virtual webinar to hear experts from MCP provide insights and guidance regardless of your status in the preparation for FirstNet. This is a can't miss session that will help you build your organization's FirstNet strategy. This session is designed for public safety leaders and FirstNet state single points of contacts.

In this webinar we will discuss:

• The state plan template from the FirstNet RFP and discuss the most releveant areas states should focus on
• The ideal team players from the state that should be involved in the evaluation process
• What you can expect from FirstNet in the coming months and how to respond

On-Demand Webinar: Mission-Critical Vendor Management 101

The average mission-critical agency oversees more than 30 different vendors responsible for various network systems and operations. Agencies are more dependent on vendors than ever before and, as result, their spend and risk continues to increase and their satisfaction continues to decrease. During this webinar, we discuss steps that can be taken to improve vendor performance and drive more value from your agency's vendor agreements.

Discussion topics include:

Infographic: Benefits of Working With a Public Safety Consulting Firm

From migrating to a new facility, acquiring forward-looking, mission-critical technology to integrating data originating from modern, digital-based devices, Mission Critical Partners is helping public safety organizations feel peace of mind and realize greater success during complex initiatives. Learn more about the benefits of working with a consultant in our infographic below.

Infographic: Network Management: 10 Facts Every PSAP Should Know

Most public safety organizations are unaware of every network, system, component and device used by their agency, and most do not maintain up-to-date inventories of their network and system infrastructure. MCP can maintain applications and keep networks secure, stable and running efficiently.

Infographic: The New Emergency Communications Ecosystem

The public safety sector has reached an inflection point. Technology has evolved dramatically, and the needs and the expectations of the public have evolved as well. What does the evolution of the emergency communications ecosystem look like?