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Date:         Thu, 13 Aug 1992 11:26:12 -0500
From:         CDUNBAR@UNTVAX.BITNET
Subject:      Re: CAD Systems

Frank

        I know about a pretty good CAD system running in my old department that
you would just love.  Before I tell you what little I know about it, let me
tell you who you can call about it.

The place is called the 1960 Comm Center located in Houston, Texas.  This
dispatching service covers all EMS and fire dispatching in Northwest Harris
County and can also dispatch for mutual aid departments for its member
departments.  The phone number is (713) 440-0079.  I don't remember their
address, but I do know they give tours if you are ever in the area.

Anyways, about the system...

This system has a very detailed apparatus status program which, second by second
    updates the status of every apparatus in each of the districts under its
jurisdiction including any mutual aid apparatus during calls.  The dispatcher
can tell whether the apparatus is en-route, if it is sitting at a controled
scene but is ready to respond to another location if needed, or even if the
apparatus is out of service.  Back-in's can also be recorded.  The dispatching
program uses the status program as well as a priority program.

This priority program basically responds apparatus according to whatever
departmental treaties or agreements have been made within certain areas.  Once
the location of a call has been computed (using information through 911 net or
by the dispatcher's keyboard input), the dispatching program will look to see
which are the closest available units to the call and decide, depending on the
nature of the call, what type of units to respond.

Let's say that station 4 has a super rescue and an Engine (what most
Northerners call a pumper), station 2 has an Engine and a rehab supply truck,
station 1 has an Engine and a booster truck, mutual aid station 3 has a water
tanker, an engine, and an EMS, and mutual aid station 10 has an EMS.  A house
fire is called within the area of the original department, in the middle of
stations 1,2, and 4.  The response part of the program details what type of
apparatus and how many to respond to a given incident during a given time of
day (more apparatus are called during the day because of manpower shortages).
A typical box for 10:00am on a weekday would be engines 1,2,4 and the mutual
aid engin 3, the super rescue at station 4, the rehab truck at 2, and mutual
aid station 3's EMS (station 10 is further away than station 3).  If any of
apparatus were out of service or deployed else-where, the computer would
automatically assign the next closest apparatus of the type required.

I have seen this system in action at a communications training course a few
months ago.  The system is graphically organized and easy to read and
understand.  The program itself is easy to run and very powerful.

Anymore information on the 1960 Comm Center, call them at (713) 440-0079 or
you could even call the Cypress Creek Volunteer Fire Department at (713)
(713) 894-0151 to see how they work with the current dispatching system.

I hope this information is what you were looking for.

Chris D.

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Chris Dunbar                   Bitnet: CDUNBAR@UNTVAX
Junior                         Internet: CDUNBAR@vaxb.acs.unt.edu
University of North Texas
Computer Science
Cypress Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Argyle Fire Department
Level I Certification
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