At 6:32 am on May 19, 2015, Cypress Creek EMS launched a major upgrade of its Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. What that means is even faster response times from CCEMS and other first responders for which CCEMS handles 9-1-1 calls and dispatch.
New CAD System Launch at 6:32 a.m.
The new system features a user-friendly map that shows the location of the emergency and the units that are closest to that location in “real time.” The software also makes recommendations on which units to dispatch.
New Maps Show Location of Emergency and Closest Available Responders
Cypress Creek’s Information Technology Manager Toivo Sari says, ” In a matter of seconds, the software virtually drives each route to see which units can get there the fastest. Based on that, it makes recommendations on which units should be dispatched. Anytime we can shave any amount of time off the first responders getting there, then we are doing something good. ”
Toivo Sari
CCEMS Information Technology Manager
The dispatcher has the final call on whether to follow the recommendations. If, for instance, the dispatcher is aware of a traffic tie-up that might slow the response, he or she can dispatch units that might be a little farther away but can get there faster.
New User-Friendly Screen Displays
The software, which was customized to meet our needs, also recognizes the “real time” locations of the units of emergency agencies for which CCEMS handles 9-1-1 calls and dispatch. Here’s a list of those agencies:
Harris County Fire Marshal / Harris County Hazardous Materials
South East Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC)
Emergency Medical Task Force 6 (EMTF6)
At Cypress Creek EMS we’ve always said, “When Seconds Count, Count on Us.” That is not just a slogan.
In 1991, CCEMS was one of the first emergency responders in Harris County to use Computer Aided Dispatch. With the newest CAD upgrade, CCEMS continues to shave “life-saving seconds” off response times.
Our vendor, Infor Public Sector, had a seven-person team of experts on site to handle any issues that might arise from the switch-over to the new hardware and software. As it turns out, though, there were only a few minor hitches which were quickly addressed.
