Dispatch Console vs Computer Aided Dispatch Console... Whats the difference? Obviously the CAD has more features, but like what? I thought each dispatch console can pretty much do anything needed... Based on MPSCS stats, the state only has ~60 CADs, thats roughly 1 per dispatch center... and in Muskegon County, one of 10 consoles are a CAD console.
Dispatch Console vs Computer Aided Dispatch Console
- Thread starter hruskacha
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depster00
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For instance if a call were to come into 911, the call taker could request different resources; in a vehicle accident for instance; police, fire, ems and towing would be needed. Once "assigned" to the call, the CAD functionality determines the local resources and dispatches them. It could be directly though the MPSCS system, or an integration between software, such as Life EMS. Detail and updates of the call would be updated bi-directionally.
Dispatch consoles usually have screens that show different aspects of the CAD system that are integrated; for instance, a GPS map of the region showing different colors and details about resource availability and activity.
Heres a link to the Motorola Website: PremierOne Computer-Aided Dispatch Software - Motorola Solutions
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A dispatch console doesn't have to have CAD, if the dispatch center is using pen and paper to take, log, and dispatch calls. But if a dispatch center has a CAD system, chances are all of the dispatch consoles (workstations) will have a CAD terminal. The calltaker takes the 911 call and enters it into the CAD system. It then shows up in the pending queue of the dispatcher's CAD. The dispatcher then dispatches the call. They can give it out over the radio, send it to the appropriate unit(s) from the CAD to their MDC (if so equipped) or both. CAD will normally recommend the closest available unit(s) to send to the call, based on parameters set when the system is installed.
In the dark days B.C. (Before CAD), we would write everything down, look up the addresses and streets in a big book (if we didn't already know where they were), and send the units via radio. I can still hear the "ker-chunk" of the time clock as we stamped the time received and time dispatched on the starter cards. Whenever CAD went down and we had to revert to paper starter cards, my muscle memory caused me to grab the starter and push it to the spot where the time clock used to be, waiting for the "ker-chunk". We had to know the address and district of every bar, every apartment complex, and every trailer park. CAD ends up becoming a crutch if you let it; then when you're without it, you have trouble remembering any of that. Newbie: "Why do I have to learn that when CAD does it for me?" Me: "'Cuz CAD ain't always there..."
In the dark days B.C. (Before CAD), we would write everything down, look up the addresses and streets in a big book (if we didn't already know where they were), and send the units via radio. I can still hear the "ker-chunk" of the time clock as we stamped the time received and time dispatched on the starter cards. Whenever CAD went down and we had to revert to paper starter cards, my muscle memory caused me to grab the starter and push it to the spot where the time clock used to be, waiting for the "ker-chunk". We had to know the address and district of every bar, every apartment complex, and every trailer park. CAD ends up becoming a crutch if you let it; then when you're without it, you have trouble remembering any of that. Newbie: "Why do I have to learn that when CAD does it for me?" Me: "'Cuz CAD ain't always there..."
That number probably represents only those CAD's which are tied into the MPSCS, which would primarily be the MSP regional dispatch centers. Most dispatch centers would have a stand-alone CAD system.
I'm not sure how a dispatch center the size of Muskegon's would only have one CAD console.
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