Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto Police Joint Press Release: New Intergraph CAD System Roll Out

On the morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2014, the Mountain View, Palo Alto and Los Altos Police Departments began using a new Intergraph computer aided dispatch (CAD) system that virtually consolidates dispatch operations between the three cities.

CAD is the cornerstone technology for public safety communications and is the primary component for the three cities’ “virtual consolidation” project, which standardizes emergency telephone and radio communications, and makes emergency response more efficient through the use of interoperable equipment, terminology, and systems. The $3M investment in the project is being shared proportionately by the three cities.

This upgrade represents the most significant public safety information technology project that the three cities have undertaken in the past decade. Previously, each city used a stand-alone CAD system that did not provide interoperability or a direct interface. All three cities now can immediately share information, dispatch calls and communicate with first responders over the system. This increases efficiency, reduces response times, and improves the use of resources during mutual aid incidents or emergencies that cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Implementing complex and mission-critical technology that impacts multiple agencies is not without risk, but the transition to this new system has been successful beyond expectations. The core CAD system is functioning as expected and Intergraph has staff onsite during the initial rollout period to immediately address any issues that may arise.

This project involved a long-term concerted effort and partnership between all three cities. The successful implementation is a direct result of the planning and preparation of the past two years to design and configure technology that provides a state-of-the-art system for the citizens of each community in a fiscally responsible manner through shared costs and resources.

The Los Altos Communications Center is the 9-1-1 public safety answering point for the City of Los Altos, dispatching for the Los Altos Police department, and providing after-hour communications for the city’s Public Works Department.

The Mountain View Emergency Communications Center is the 9-1-1 public safety answering point for the City of Mountain View, and dispatches for the Mountain View Police and Fire departments, Mid-Peninsula Open Space District, and provides after-hour communications for the city’s Public Works Department.

The Palo Alto Communications Center is the 9-1-1 public safety answering point for both the City of Palo Alto and Stanford University, and dispatches for the Palo Alto Police and Fire Departments, the Stanford University Department of Public Safety, Palo Alto Utilities, Palo Alto Public Works, Palo Alto Animal Services, and park rangers with Palo Alto Open Space.

Our communities will continue to receive the very same high level of service to which they have been accustomed from our public safety agencies.

Questions about the new system can be directed to Los Altos Police Department at (650) 947-2770.