County signs multi‑year RapidSOS contract to add location, mapping and field tools for 911 dispatchers
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Summary
The Finance Committee recommended a multi‑year contract with RapidSOS to provide enhanced location, GIS mapping and field‑responder tools to 19 dispatch centers across Oakland County; county 911 staff said the platform will consolidate multiple maps and aid multi‑agency response.
The Finance Committee recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize a multi‑year contract with RapidSOS to supply enhanced emergency location, GIS mapping and field‑responder communication tools to the county’s 19 public safety answering points (PSAPs).
Meredith Morgan, the county’s 911 coordinator, told the committee the RapidSOS platform delivers precise cell‑phone location, breadcrumb tracking for moving callers, indoor and outdoor mapping overlays and a field responder module that sends data to first responders’ mobile devices. “One of the things … is the GIS module,” Morgan said. “We can layer all of the maps that are Esri based, you know, indoor building maps, outdoor terrain maps.”
Why it matters: County staff said the tool will reduce cognitive load for dispatchers who currently monitor multiple screens and map systems, improve inter‑center information sharing during major incidents and support responders with floorplans, campus maps and other building‑level data. Capt. Miles told the committee the field module will ensure responders receive the same information the dispatcher sees and can return status information through the platform.
Contract scope and cost: Presentation materials and committee discussion clarified that the contract is structured as a three‑year agreement with two optional one‑year renewals; committee discussion clarified the purchase price is a recurring, per‑year cost (presenters confirmed the annual contract figure discussed in the meeting). Commissioners asked staff to confirm pricing details in writing; the item passed committee approval.
Privacy and translation tools: The committee heard that the RapidSOS package includes a communicator module for on‑the‑fly translation and transcription services, which the dispatch centers currently manage through separate third‑party calls. Commissioners asked about integration, redundancy and training; staff said training will be provided and the vendor can support rollouts to all 19 PSAPs.
Next steps: The committee voted to recommend the contract to the full Board of Commissioners. Staff will provide final contract language and a clarified cost schedule for the board packet.
