CASE STUDY | Omnitronics Radio Dispatch System
Connecting Agencies Across the County
In the heart of the picturesque Appalachians, Leslie County, Kentucky is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From breathtaking mountain views to fish-filled streams and endless trails for hiking and biking, it’s a place where nature and community come together.
Established in 1995, the Leslie County E-911 Center in Hyden is home to the first 911 Dispatcher Memorial in the US, commemorating the heroes behind the headset.
The center, manned by 10 dispatchers working across three 8-hour shifts around the clock, handles dispatch operations for six fire departments, an ambulance service, the Sheriff’s department, city police, five schools, and school bus services, who use Kenwood and Motorola radios.
Customer Profile
Application
- Public Safety Communications
- Inter-agency Response Management
Products Used
- Omnitronics Dispatch System
- IPR100 Analog VoIP and SIP Gateways
- IPR110+ Analog RoIP Gateways
Upgrading
The Challenge
The Leslie County E-911 team faced significant challenges with an outdated dispatch system declared “End of Life.” Their backroom infrastructure also required upgrades, and the existing console lacked ethernet connectivity, leading to time discrepancies and limited features. Financial constraints posed an additional challenge in funding the necessary upgrades.
System Selection
Requirements
Based on their previous experience with a system prone to failures, Leslie County required a 911 dispatch console with network connectivity, a reliable service provider, and a system with minimal components to reduce the potential for failures.
Case Study
Omnitronics Dispatch Connects Leslie County Agencies
Leslie County 911 Center, Kentucky
Future-Proof
The Solution
After considering three different companies, Leslie County chose the Omnitronics dispatch console due to its simpler, less hardware intensive architecture and for its cost-effectiveness. The Omnitronics solution consisted of only computers and gateways, compared to other systems which had many more components and a much higher price.
The dispatch console system uses IPR100 and IPR110+ gateways to connect the console positions with their Kenwood radios. Leslie County 911 entrusted Tri-State Communications with the procurement and installation, known for their excellent customer service and 24/7/365 remote access and on-site support.
Tri-State Communications is a state contractor who compliantly fulfilled their grant application once it was approved.
Additionally, Tri-State Communications incorporated Zello mobile push to talk over cellular into their radio network using the Omnitronics 911 dispatch console system. This allows users to use the Zello application installed on their smart phones to communicate with their radio channels from anywhere with cellular or wifi coverage.
Although moving from analog to P25 was considered, it was deferred due to financial constraints. All six volunteer fire departments in the county would need to upgrade simultaneously, necessitating a grant to finance the project. This option remains a priority for the future.
Testimonial
The 911 Operators LOVE Omnitronics Dispatch
Everybody at dispatch here absolutely loves it!“
Getting to Know the System
Training
The dispatch team received training from Omnitronics partner Tri-State Communications and found the system easy to learn thanks to its intuitive user interface and color-coded functionalities on the console. The omniacademy on-line learning management system allows for new dispatchers to get training and a certificate on how to operate the Omnitronics 911 consoles.
The Dispatch Solution
Network Diagram
Thinking Ahead
Future Prospects
Leslie County can add P25 to their radio networks easily by adding more gateways if they decide to in the future. Additional operators can also be added on demand.
Safety & Productivity
Conclusion
The Leslie County E-911 Center successfully enhanced its public safety communication system with their Omnitronics dispatch console, making operations more efficient and user-friendly at a reasonable cost. The future looks promising with potential upgrades to P25 and the flexibility to add more operators as needed.
Benefits
Key Results
Simplified Dispatch Operations: Omnitronics made their work easier with fewer components and excellent support from Tri-State Communications.
Cost-Effective Solution: The solution was more affordable compared to other systems, providing great value.
Improved User Experience: The intuitive, color-coded interface made learning and using the system straightforward.
