Forward-Looking Wireless Data Decisions: Lessons of Success From the Sacramento Police Department

Implementing a new wireless data communications system in a first responder environment is a significant task. Not only do IT and public safety decision makers face long-reaching technology choices, but the performance of the systems they implement will determine the effectiveness and safety of their officers on the street.

Today, many local governments are being forced to make these technology decisions as they seek new solutions to replace their old systems. One recent example occurred in the City of Sacramento. "Like many local government organizations, we were facing end-of-lifecycle technology issues," says Ken Stuber, Telecommunications Engineer for the City of Sacramento. "We needed a system that would reach our officers with reliability. We needed to lay the foundation for adding new features, and the decision had to make sense from a cost and implementation standpoint."

After evaluating a variety of alternatives, Sacramento implemented a Trusted Wireless Data solution from Dataradio. "The technology we implemented was my first choice," says Mr. Stuber, "and even after we scrutinized all the options, the choice was clear. But to make a clear choice, you have to take a hard look at all the factors."

Functionality: Wireless Solution Accommodates Expanded Need-to-have Features

One of the chief goals of the Sacramento Police Department was to gain capacity for adding new features. The department's old system was slow, with applications running at a central location and then delivering information to "dumb" terminals in the cars. For most public safety organizations, this type of set-up is delivering diminishing returns.

With the ability to gather and access information across organizations, it is becoming increasingly important to put that information to work in a way that improves the officer's ability to perform in the field. "Speed and access to information is a not a nice-to-have feature; it is a necessity," says Stuber. "Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), tag lookup, and field reporting were primary concerns for us. Our solution makes these functions accessible, and it is now fast enough to be practical for the officer to use in the field."

In searching for a solution, Sacramento considered a variety of alternatives. "We had to ask a lot of questions about practicality," says Stuber. "There are big questions about range and throughput, and there are also the detailed questions. For example, how much space does the equipment take up, or how many peripherals can we plug in to the box? We found that there was no need to compromise on any of these issues."

"We found that the small box that doesn't take up much space in the car," says Stuber, "and a GPS receiver can come as part of a package, not as an add-on, as some manufacturers offer. Finally, and this is a highly detailed but important concern, we have three serial ports on the receiving unit-standard. Nobody else could give us that. When you make a decision that you will have to live with for a long time, you want to choose a solution that helps you grow, and all of these concerns are important."

Guaranteed Coverage: Mission-critical Data Requires Private Wireless Control

For today's first responder operations, a wireless data communications system must deliver coverage with mission-critical reliability. We needed control over our network," says Stuber. "That was a big part of our technology decision."

"We looked at a public network solution, but we decided to stay with private wireless for several reasons," he explains. "During an emergency, for example, a public system wouldn't give us priority. First responders would share the same bandwidth as other users, and would be equally subject to getting kicked off the system. Along the same lines, the public system wouldn't guarantee coverage. I can't have first responders receive their data one day and not receive it the next day. Finally, the public network provider demanded the right to intercept and disclose information."

"These conditions set out by public networks may be acceptable for other types of users, but they don't fit the needs of a first responder organization," says Stuber. "A private wireless solution gives us the control we need. We know it will stay up during emergencies. We know that we'll have the coverage we need. And there will be no one to kick us off our system, as public networks are now doing to CDPD users. What we have is a solid backbone for growth."

Implementation and Costs: Support and Flexibility Determine Bottom-line Effectiveness

In a public service organization, cost pressures on IT projects are intense. Sacramento was no exception. "We had a clear picture of what was needed," says Stuber. "From a procurement standpoint, we were in the enviable position of having our lowest bid also be our first choice. My job, in selecting a Trusted Wireless Data solution, was to try to poke holes in it, to look for flaws. We needed to make sure our choice was as cost-effective as it appeared to be. And it was."

Stuber points out that implementation support is a major consideration in the cost equation. "If you consider a solution, you have to consider the maintenance and support needs as part of the equation," he says. "We needed the support to achieve a highly stabilized system. It's a chance you have to take with any selection, because everybody tells you they'll give you great support, but not everybody delivers. We expected that support, and we got it."

Sacramento to Expand Data Across Additional Systems, Including Fire Departments

Since implementing its Trusted Wireless Data system, the City of Sacramento has expanded the functionality of its police communications, and is now in the process of adding final features into the new solution, including records management capabilities. In addition to upgrading police department communications, the city is exploring options for upgrading fire department systems.

Sacramento's experience of implementing a wireless data communications system underscores the importance of functionality, coverage, and cost. "It has been an effective implementation process from an IT standpoint," says Stuber, "but more importantly, we've successfully introduced an effective tool to help our officers on the street. That's the goal you can't forget."