Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

DPS Emergency Communications Center Joins Onondaga County Dispatch System

Thursday, November 19, 2020, By Christine Weber
Share
Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has made the transition to a new dispatch system, which will increase interoperability between the department and other emergency responders in Onondaga County.

The new system, known as Hexagon, ties DPS operations into the Onondaga County computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and allows the department to utilize the same mobile software as other local law enforcement agencies. The transition to the new system also allows DPS to make use of the same police records management system as its local counterparts, which stores all incident-related information in one place.

“Hexagon allows for better coordination with other agencies surrounding the University, including the Syracuse Police Department (SPD), SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry University Police Department, and the New York State University Police at Upstate, all of whom utilize the system in their vehicles,” says DPS Deputy Chief John Sardino.

With the implementation of Hexagon at the department’s emergency communications center (ECC), an on-campus emergency call placed to the Onondaga County 911 Center or the DPS ECC will alert all required first responders, including police, fire and medical. This eliminates delays in response, as DPS officers can see in real time what calls SPD is responding to around campus. This will allow DPS officers to act proactively, rather than waiting for official notification or hearing the call over the radio by chance.

“This new system was a long time coming,” says Joseph Hernon, director of emergency management. Hernon oversees the University’s emergency communications center and pushed for the implementation of the new system at DPS. “We have been working closely with Onondaga County for some time in order to implement a new system that would work for everyone,” Hernon says.

Several years ago, DPS leadership approached Onondaga County to start exploring the concept of sharing a CAD system. In 2018, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Communications and the DPS ECC was established. To oversee the transition to the new system, DPS hired a project manager with prior experience working at the Onondaga County 911 Center. The MOU was finalized in early 2020, which allowed the installation of Hexagon to move forward.

The Onondaga County 911 Center, Onondaga County Information Technology, Syracuse University Administrative Computing Services, Information Technology Services, DPS and the Video Access Security Technology Team collaborated to ensure network connectivity between the University and the county, along with preparing all data needed for the transition to the new system.

What is CAD?

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) is a system utilized by dispatchers and 911 operators to prioritize and record incident calls, identify the status and location of responders in the field, and effectively dispatch responder personnel.

What training was needed?

According to Hernon, the DPS ECC dispatch staff completed 32 hours of training on the new system and all DPS peace officers completed two hours of training. Additional one-on-one training support was provided to anyone who felt they needed the additional instruction.

“We set up a training room and went through real-life scenarios to test out the system and prepare our staff for this transition,” Hernon says.

How will the University community be affected?

The University community will not notice a change to the services provided by DPS due to the transition. Over time, the new CAD system will give DPS greater insight into what incidents occur in the neighborhoods surrounding the University. In addition, it will allow for improved response to incidents that are called into the Onondaga County 911 Center.

  • Author

Christine Weber

  • Recent
  • ‘ADA Live!’ Focuses on Protection and Advocacy Systems for People with Disabilities
    Sunday, February 28, 2021, By News Staff
  • Hilda A. Frimpong Becomes the First Black Student to Lead Syracuse Law Review
    Saturday, February 27, 2021, By Robert Conrad
  • Important Update for Flexible Spending Accounts
    Friday, February 26, 2021, By News Staff
  • Message From Dean of Students Marianne Thomson
    Friday, February 26, 2021, By News Staff
  • CAS in Intercollegiate Athletic Advising and Support Addresses Unique Needs of College Student-Athletes
    Thursday, February 25, 2021, By Jennifer Russo

More In Campus & Community

‘ADA Live!’ Focuses on Protection and Advocacy Systems for People with Disabilities

The next “ADA Live!” podcast on Wednesday, March 3, will feature Curt Decker, founder and executive director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). Decker will discuss the history of the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System, some important legislation they…

COVID-19 Update: New York State Guidance | Mandatory Testing | Vaccine Eligibility

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff: The landscape of federal, state and local policy guidance related to the COVID health emergency continues to evolve at a rapid pace. We are following these policy changes and amended public health guidelines very…

Important Update for Flexible Spending Accounts

Recent COVID-19 relief legislation has allowed the University to continue to offer faculty and staff flexibility in managing their 2020 and 2021 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Effective immediately, faculty and staff have additional options for their FSAs including the ability…

Message From Dean of Students Marianne Thomson

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: I am deeply saddened to share news of the passing of Noah Buntain, a doctoral candidate in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Noah, who was originally from Iowa, joined the University community in…

Activities for the Weekend of Feb. 25-28

Dear Students and Families: As we enter the final days of February, I am writing to share our weekly update about activities on the calendar this weekend. The team and I are grateful for your continued participation; these events and…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.