Pine Bluff Police Department
Public Affairs Office
  

PRESS RELEASE

City of Pine Bluff Has New Communication System

One of the foremost issues in the National Action Plan under “Communications and Technology” is the urgent need for interoperable communications across public safety agencies at the local, state, and federal level. The inability of public safety agencies to be able to talk to one another via radio data communication systems, and exchange voice and/or data with one another on demand in real time on a day-to-day basis and during major incidents is a continued threat to achieving homeland security.

As stated by former Homeland Security Advisor, Tom Ridge: “Homeland security requires hometown security”. By providing better communications through advanced technology, Pine Bluff will be better prepared to support homeland, and hometown, security for its own residents and its sister localities.

Over two years has been invested in evaluating many different programs. Application Data Systems, inc. (ADSi), which specializes in public safety software, best meets our needs in response to current deficiencies in this area. This program is exclusively designed for public safety agencies and is customized for each department.

Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. has proclaimed that public safety is the number one priority in the City of Pine Bluff. During this time of depleting revenues, reductions in manpower and fluctuating crime rates, to upgrade and expand the emergency response interoperability network is critical.  This program is fully endorsed by the City of Pine Bluff’s Mayor, the City Council, and the city’s Public Safety Committee. The Chief of Police, Fire Chief, the City Attorney, both district court judges, and the city’s Inspection Department also approve of and desire implementation of this program.

The Metropolitan Emergency Communications Association (MECA) of greater Jefferson County, Arkansas, went live with Application Data Systems, inc. (ADSi) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) on December 5th, 2005. Located in Pine Bluff, MECA handles call taking and dispatch for all of the Police Departments and Fire Departments in the County as well as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The previous software used by the Pine Bluff Police Department and Fire Department did not interface with MECA’s 911-dispatch center.  ADSi is compatible with the high-speed interoperability of the Arkansas Wireless Information Network. ADSi software and Hardware provides a critically needed interoperability information sharing system linking the police department, fire department, Metropolitan Emergency Communications Agency district courts, city attorney’s office, city collector’s office, and city inspections office. It also links the police department to NCIC/ACIC. With

With ADSi software city agencies are able to comply with state and federal mandated reporting requirements as well as be able to prepare crime analysis reports in a timely manner. The ADSi system allows the Fire Department to operate at a much higher efficiency rate. The capabilities are almost unlimited with this system because it is actually designed for the department that will be using it. The Fire Department is now able to retrieve detailed information while on scene at any inspection or incident and track a building’s inspection history paying special attention to past violations.

The first responders of this nation put themselves on the line every day to protect and help our communities. The ADSi system will ensure that Pine Bluff emergency response professionals are prepared and equipped to respond and communicate in any situation during daily operations, and more importantly, bring together the information and resources needed to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency.

Robert D. Rawlinson
ROBERT D. RAWLINSON
Lieutenant-Public Information Officer

For additional information, I can be reached during normal working hours Monday through Friday at my office number 870-543-5166 or 543-5105. My cell number is 870-489-9965 and it is available 24 hours a day.