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Board tackles CAD unit‑ID duplication, MDT rollouts and radio coverage trials for remote areas
Summary
The Operations Board addressed a CAD duplication that created dispatch confusion, discussed MDT deployment and VPN workarounds, and heard that Emma Springs will trial a Sky Chimera satellite 'go kit' to improve radio coverage in mountainous valleys.
IT staff and agencies described an incident in which a unit was duplicated in CAD (entered both as 'AC42' and 'ACO42'), confusing dispatchers and skewing statistics. Jeff, the assistant director of IT, said the duplication stemmed from inconsistent unit naming and proposed an audit and a standardized request form that requires full user data to prevent repeat errors. "We rely on each agency to provide unit IDs," Jeff said; he urged agencies to include IT on unit‑creation emails so the system can be cross‑checked before new IDs go live.
The board reviewed mobile data terminal (MDT) deployment and VPN issues. Larger agencies are largely equipped with MDTs, and smaller agencies were asked to provide device lists and asset tags to IT for image deployment. Staff reported VPN tunnel workarounds to allow agencies to access internal applications without blocking MDT software, and the operations team volunteered to provide brief, standardized MDT training sessions on site. Committee members emphasized that mixed MDT adoption can create situational awareness gaps and advocated a standardized training program so that all agencies use MDTs consistently.
Members also discussed longer‑term radio coverage solutions. Eric Masterson said the county has geo‑bond funds and asked consultant MCM to develop a plan for coverage improvements in the Hums corridor and countywide interoperability. Separately, the Emma Springs Police Chief announced a 45‑day trial of a Sky Chimera satellite go‑kit and planned base station to address line‑of‑sight failures in mountain valleys. "We're going to start a trial period tomorrow to see if it works for us," the chief said; board members cautioned the group to ensure any satellite solution integrates with primary channels so agencies can "still be on SO1 and hear all the traffic."
Why it matters: duplicate CAD entries and inconsistent unit IDs disrupt dispatch workflows and reporting, mixed MDT adoption can hinder interoperability and officer safety, and persistent radio coverage gaps in rural valleys pose operational risks that the board is trying to address by testing satellite kits and hiring consultants to plan targeted improvements.
Next steps: IT will circulate a unit inventory audit and a standard user/request form; agencies will submit MDT device lists and request on‑site training; MCM will be asked to produce radio corridor planning options and the Emma Springs trial will report results to the board.
