St. Cloud, MN: The King County Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) Program Office and the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Consolidation Steering Committee, which is comprised of local PSAP, police, fire, and emergency medical services representatives, have selected GeoComm Public Safety Consulting Services to provide a PSAP/9-1-1 dispatch center consolidation assessment of the King County E9-1-1 system. King County seeks a high-quality study to assess whether the current PSAP structure provides the most efficient and effective emergency communications services possible. The study will identify potential enhancements to emergency services that may be achieved. The timing for the study is critical since the county is considering PSAP equipment and operational upgrades that would be necessary for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

During the seven-month project, GeoComm Consulting Services will provide a comprehensive review of the existing operations and technology at each of the 12 PSAPs in King County. A goal of the study is to determine opportunities to enhance public safety services and examine the feasibility of alternate methods for serving the county and municipalities within King County.

“King County has been actively working to upgrade the E9-1-1 system to NG9-1-1 technology. This assessment will assist us in identifying the optimum PSAP configuration for moving forward into NG9-1-1,” said Marlys Davis, King County’s E9-1-1 Program Manager.

GeoComm will provide a series of reports throughout the project that define the current status of 9-1-1 and PSAP operations, expenditures, equipment in the 12 PSAPs, and recommendations for the future of 9-1-1 service.

“GeoComm is honored to work with the public safety agencies in King County,” said Greg Ballentine, GeoComm’s Director of Consulting Services. “This part of the country is well-known for providing excellent public safety services, and we are pleased to be chosen to partner with such a stellar group.”

About GeoComm: Over the past 16 years, GeoComm has conducted more than 600 public safety consulting projects and has been at the forefront of understanding and implementing public safety communications systems. GeoComm subscribes to the Project Management Institute’s effective practices and Code of Ethics. We partner with our customers to develop unique solutions and recommendations based in their environment.