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 | APCO Names Connecticut State University System 2003 CALLS Recipient . Connecticut State University System recognized for implementing location-technology software in its PBX phone system
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 22, 2003) – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO) presented the second CALLS (Corporate Award for Leadership in 9-1-1 Location Solutions) Award to the Connecticut State University System. The award recognizes CSUS' commitment to the safety of its 33,000 students and 4500 employees through its visionary implementation of location-technology-compliant software in its PBX phone systems.
"This morning we have a pioneering organization to thank and congratulate," said APCO President Vincent Stile as he presented the award to CSUS' Director of Telecommunications William Aust. "We hope others will emulate what our 2003 CALLS grand award-winning organization has done."
CSUS has implemented an impressive system-solution that ensures whenever anyone calls 9-1-1 from any of its 13,000 phone stations in any of its 150 buildings, situated in five cities across the state, the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for that locale will not only see the building address the caller is calling from, but will also see the room number in the building where the call originates.
“We’re very proud to present this award to the Connecticut State University System for the excellent example it’s setting for companies and government agencies nationwide,” said Nancy Pollock, chair of APCO’s 9-1-1 committee. “Most Americans spend one-third or more of their time at work or school, and they should have every assurance that help will be as able to locate them in an emergency there as when they’re in the safety of their own homes.”
CSUS' technology implementation is designed to solve a serious but little-known problem. Whereas most landline and, increasingly, many wireless calls to 9-1-1 provide accurate location information for the caller, phone sets that are routed through a PBX provide the main location of the PBX, not the caller. In the case of hotels, nursing homes or office buildings, for example, it could provide a main address or front-desk location without providing the room or suite number where the actual emergency is occurring.
In the case of government phone systems or businesses with one main and several local satellite offices, such as banks, the problem is sometimes worse: the PBX may show a city hall or main branch address when the actual extension is in a different building miles away. If callers cannot clearly articulate their locations, they risk responders either being sent to the wrong location, or to the correct location only to find the reception staff is unaware of any emergency and unable to help pinpoint it.
The technology has significant implications for incidents ranging from workplace violence, to school shootings like the incident at Columbine High School , to local bank robberies and medical emergencies.
APCO also recognized several other organizations for their efforts to correct their PBX location-accuracy issues, including Johnson County (Kansas), Ontario (California) International Airport, NASA Aims Protective Services (Moffet Field, Calif.), the City of Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.), Orlando (Fla.) International Airport, the Wyoming Dept. of Transportation, the University of Kansas, the Des Moines (Iowa) Public School System, St. Thomas University (Minn.), and St. Olaf/Carleton Colleges (Minn.). This year's CALLS award was sponsored by Best Buy.
APCO Names State Farm Insurance Co.First CALLS RecipientState Farm recognized for implementing location-technology software in its PBX phone system NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 13, 2002) – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO) today announced it is presenting the first CALLS (Corporate Award for Leadership in 9-1-1 Location Solutions) Award to State Farm Insurance Co. The award recognizes State Farm’s commitment to the safety of its nearly 80,000 employees through its visionary implementation of location-technology compliant software in its PBX phone systems. “Our project team was very surprised and flattered to receive the news. Our focus all along has been to craft a plan that saves lives,” said Tim Metcalf, who is responsible for analysis and implementation of telecommunications systems at State Farm and who will accept the award on its behalf. “Your recognition of our effort is especially meaningful because APCO represents those who take the first action in an emergency situation.” State Farm’s system, which has been in development for more than three years, will go online Sept. 1, directly affecting 40,000 phone stations in 10 buildings and capable of expanding incrementally nationwide, while still retaining control at the company’s headquarters in Bloomington, Ill. “We’re very proud to present this award to State Farm for the excellent example it’s setting for companies and government agencies nationwide,” said Nancy Pollock, incoming chair of APCO’s 9-1-1 committee and current chair of its PBX subcommittee. “Most Americans spend one-third or more of their time at work or school, and they should have every assurance that help will be as able to locate them in an emergency there as when they’re in the safety of their own homes. Recent events have only served to make that assurance more important.” State Farm’s technology implementation is designed to solve a serious but little-known problem. Whereas most landline and increasingly, many wireless calls to 9-1-1 provide accurate location information for the caller, phone sets that are routed through a PBX provide the main location of the PBX, not the caller. In the case of hotels, nursing homes or office buildings, for example, it could provide a main address or front desk location without providing the room or suite number where the actual emergency is occurring. In the case of government phone systems or businesses with one main and several local satellite offices, such as banks, the problem is sometimes worse: the PBX may show a city hall or main branch address when the actual extension is in a different building miles away. If callers cannot clearly articulate their locations, they risk responders either being sent to the wrong location, or to the correct location only to find the reception staff is unaware of any emergency and unable to help pinpoint it. The technology has significant implications for incidents ranging from workplace violence, such as the shooting rampage that left seven dead at an Internet consulting firm near Boston last December, to school shootings like the incident at Columbine High School, to local bank robberies and medical emergencies. “If you don't make it expedient and safe for first responders to reach those in need, you do the victim, first responder and ultimately your business and community a disservice,” Metcalf said.
About APCO International The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. is the world’s oldest and largest not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. With more than 16,000 members worldwide, APCO International exists to serve the people who manage, operate, maintain, and supply the communications systems used to safeguard the lives and property of citizens everywhere. | |||
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