In addition to maintaining the emergency communications network for the Police Department, Emergency Command Control Communications System Division (ECCCS) Division also manages the Proposition M Bond Program. Approved by the voters in November 1992, the program funds $235 million of improvements to the Police Department's emergency communications system. Major projects include the replacement of the voice and data radio systems, the replacement of the computer systems supporting the taking and dispatching of 911 calls, and the construction of two new dispatch centers that, under normal operations, will share the huge call load for services from Los Angeles citizens. All bond projects are underway and several have been successfully implemented. Following is a brief description of these projects.
Communications Dispatch Centers
This project involved the construction of two new 911 dispatch centers. The Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center is located at the corner of Los Angeles and First Streets in Council District No. 9. The Valley Communications Dispatch Center is located on property purchased by the Police Department at 23001 Roscoe Boulevard in Council District No. 12.
The Board of Public Works accepted bids for construction of the centers on April 21, 1999 and awarded a contract in the amount of $37,727,000 to Tutor-Saliba Corporation on June 2, 1999. A Notice-to-Proceed was issued on June 17, 1999. Construction of the Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center (MCDC) was completed in June 2001. Following construction, another 16 months were required to install equipment, train personnel and transition from the current system to the new ECCCS. Construction of the Valley Communications Dispatch Center (VCDC) was completed in July 2001. The VCDC became operational in September 2003.
The unique configuration of two fully operational dispatch facilities is believed to be the first of its kind, and will provide the citizens of Los Angeles with a system that is based on true redundancy. Under normal conditions, both centers ("connected" by a hybrid fibre-microwave network) will operate concurrently with identical functional capacities, each processing a geographically defined portion of the City’s call-taking workload. While operating in the normal mode, the computer support segment for each center will maintain shared data with the other center, sufficient to support swift and orderly transitions to specific fallback modes in the event of disabling circumstances at either center, or in the event that circumstances requires some division of workload between the centers.
At a cost of $2 million, the buildings were designed by the Los Angeles based firm, Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall (DMJM), as a subcontractor to TRW Inc. (now known as Northrop Grumman Space and Missions Systems), the Department’s systems integrator for the emergency communications system enhancement program. By specifying identical buildings for both sites (except for landscaping and parking), a considerable cost savings in design fees and construction costs were realized.
Various building features were programmed to ensure performance before, during and after a major disaster, including an earthquake of magnitude 8.3. The structural design includes a base isolation system to protect the building and its contents from ground motion generated by an earthquake. The critical building systems (water, power, mechanical, communications) are all supported by back-up systems. The building can function independently for a 72-hour period. The design exceeds requirements for "essential facilities" as defined by the Uniform Building Code and City of Los Angeles Building Code.
A primary function of each dispatch center is the provision of a pleasant and stress-reducing work environment for the 911 call-takers. This objective has been achieved through various measures that control noise, accommodate natural lighting, customize the air temperature at each console, provide spacious work areas and free-spanned, vaulted ceilings. Personnel amenities include quiet rooms, dining area, exercise room, locker rooms, lounge and cot rooms. The building employs smart building systems to control lighting, air conditioning and fire-life safety. Access to the facility is controlled, with visitor traffic confined to a mezzanine-level media room that overlooks the operations floor via an observation window.
The two dispatch centers will utilize the latest forms of internet and wide-area-network technology to pool their call-taking resources automatically and a new infrastructure will be developed by the telephone companies that will reduce call set-up time. Implementation of these efforts will afford Los Angeles citizens a significantly more responsive and reliable 911 service, particularly during busy hours (evenings, weekends and major holidays). The facilities, which were constructed to last fifty years, more than double the Department’s current capacity to handle emergency calls for service. Centrally focused around a 15,000 square foot operations floor that houses 80 consoles, each three-storied 59,000 square foot building has the capacity to accommodate expansion if necessary.
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