|
Integrators bring experience as well as new Middle Atlantic Products LCD Monitoring Desks to state-of-the-art facility design.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, March 28, 2007 - The essence of effective security is communication. To ensure that communication is moving efficiently, it is essential that agencies maintain a state-of-the-art operations hub to coordinate response efforts and facilitate field operatives with a direct link to management personnel. In 2005, the government of Rhode Island appropriated newly acquired Department of Homeland Security funds to renovate the State Emergency Operations Center in Cranston, Rhode Island, to make it one of the most advanced facilities in the state and to create a centralized, state-of-the-art State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for all of its agencies to utilize.
The pre-existing EOC was a 50s-style facility with extremely limited technological capabilities. The one room EOC had one "T" type table with telephones, a ceiling mounted projector and Polycom conference telephone. This was also the room where operations for all statewide emergencies were handled, including Amber Alerts. Within this room, computers were situated against one wall and a large white board on the other. The old EOC also housed a room dedicated to communications technology, such as two-way radios, and two additional rooms used for classes.
After researching a number of different companies that might be capable of leading this renovation, the state finally settled on a proposal from Flagship Security Systems in Massachusetts. Drawing on years of experience with federal and local agencies, with jobs ranging from secret federal installations to local law enforcement facilities, Flagship Security brought a comprehensive understanding of security-centric facilities and a proven track record of a successful design and build process.
The New Facility
In addition to housing the Rhode Island state emergency operations command, the newly renovated EOC is home to the state police, Red Cross, DOT, National Guard and other critical state agencies. The EOC also supports WEBEOC emergency management software, providing all agencies with an added level of communication and messaging functionality.
According to George Aguiar, VP Operations, Flagship Security Systems, "The Emergency Management Agency's projections were calling for a lot of bad weather in the upcoming hurricane season. So, they felt the timing was right to create a centralized EOC for the entire state. After meeting with our team, the Emergency Management Agency decided to carry out our design for the facility that called for subdividing it into four separate rooms: a Secure Emergency Operations Center (SEOC); an Emergency Support Function (ESF) breakout area; an Executive Briefing Room; and a Communications/Messaging Room to monitor communications from the Federal, State and Local agencies to maintain the highest level of situational awareness."
With an overall budget approaching one million dollars, the facility is bulging with state-of-the-art equipment that provides enhanced functionality and much more user-friendly work environment. The SEOC is the heart of the new facility, housing the essential equipment that affords department heads fully functional command and communication during an emergency. The SEOC houses 18 48" LCD Monitoring Desks from Middle Atlantic Products for all of the department heads (state police, DOT, Red Cross, etc.); two additional 64" LCD Monitoring Desks, both of which are situated on a on a raised floor; and 13 monitors including: three 65" Panasonic Plasmas, two 42" Samsung Plasma TVs and two 32" Samsung LCD TVs. Every position in this room in this room is also equipped to have internet access and run WEBEOC emergency management software.
The two Middle Atlantic Products 64" LCD Monitoring Desks support six 17" Bosch multi-input monitors - three at each desk - that mirror a majority of all of the monitors in each of the facility's four rooms. These monitors emulate selected monitors within the facility and give the operator the ability to dictate who sees what, depending on the nature and scope of the operation. This monitoring system can be operated via an intuitive PC interface that initiates mechanical switches so that, during an actual emergency situation, all EOC personnel can access and control the video input, regardless of each person's level of technical expertise.
The other rooms are equally important to the facility makeup, providing the center's huge support staff with the right technology and tools to carry out their duties. If the SEOC is the heart of the operation, then the Communications/Messaging Room is its mouth, enabling all of the agencies and employees in the EOC to communicate and organize efficiently and effectively both internally and externally. To provide adequate space for each department's communication team, Flagship installed a five position, 16 channel Telex/Vega Digital Dispatch Radio Console that is capable of talking to every state entity via two-way radio, digital or analog; five Nexus dispatch workstations with touchscreen monitors and desk microphones; 12 EFJ 5300 mobile radios with Vega interface; and five Middle Atlantic Products 48" LCD Monitoring Desks with two 90 degree connectors and two side units for additional rackmount space.
The Executive Briefing Room is designed to house a large number of staff for various meetings or sessions. Flagship custom built a massive 18' x 10' conference table with fully integrated, pop-up power, telephone and data ports, two 65" Panasonic plasma monitors and a Middle Atlantic Products 48" LCD Monitoring Desk with a fully integrated lectern. In addition to briefing in a presentation or conference style setup, members of the EOC also now use the Executive Briefing Room to organize and manage statewide Amber Alerts.
Last, but certainly not least, the ESF is home to an additional 25 Middle Atlantic Products LCD Monitoring Desk workstations and two 65" Panasonic plasma monitors.
According to Paul Crawford, State Emergency Operations Manager for Rhode Island, the first room to be upgraded was the SEOC. "We had a good idea what we wanted to install. Flagship was extremely professional and helpful in that they suggested modifications that incorporated solutions from the top manufacturers in the final design. When we saw the functional layout of the products like the Middle Atlantic Products LCD Monitoring Desks, it was easy to see why Flagship made its recommendations. Our people have been very impressed with their quality."
In addition to the LCD Monitoring Desks, Flagship decided on a number of different enclosures from Middle Atlantic Products to meet various facility needs. In the SEOC, a Middle Atlantic Products 19" SR Series wall-mounted rack houses the components of a local CCTV system, the statewide DOT camera system that is relayed via IP from the DOT headquarters, a reserve 911 system, satellite weather and communications transceivers, router and firewall components and a CATV controller. There is another Middle Atlantic Products rack, this time a DWR Series wall mounted-rack, which contains the FEMA communication remotes, the Emergency Broadcast System components and seven Telex IP223 digital to analog transceivers.
Aguiar noted that Middle Atlantic Products solutions are a centerpiece of the company's designs because they are high quality products that are easy to install and that provide excellent thermal and cable management features. "We really like the Middle Atlantic Products desks and racks," he said. "They make a good product for these types of applications, especially the swing racks which allow easy access, yet provide the durability and management features you need. Beyond that, the ergonomics are good and they are very cost effective."
This top-to-bottom upgrade of the State Emergency Operations Center has made the new Cranston EOC a top flight facility and greatly improved the way in which Rhode Island's bravest are able to mobilize and respond to any type of emergency. With streamlined ergonomics and an extremely powerful and versatile system at its fingertips, each government entity is able to better serve the security needs of the State of Rhode Island, the National Guard and the country as well.
About Middle Atlantic Products:
Middle Atlantic Products, Inc. is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey and is an ISO 9001:2000-registered leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art steel enclosure systems for a wide range of applications, including the commercial audio video installation, custom residential, broadcast, post production, structured cabling and premise wiring markets. For over 25 years the company has been dedicated to the proposition that the enclosure system is as important as the equipment it protects. Middle Atlantic Products incorporates application-driven engineering into every system it designs in order to meet the individualized requirements of the broadest range of installers.
To request a catalog of Middle Atlantic Products full line of equipment and accessories, visit middleatlantic.com or contact: Middle Atlantic Products, 300 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004; Tel: (800) 266-7225 or (973) 839-1011; Fax: (973) 839-1976.
.
|
