Watertown Police and Fire Communications Center
The Police Alarm System
This telephone and direct-wired circuit-based system signals the Communication Center Dispatchers when city buildings are entered, when special secure rooms are entered, or when other alarm conditions result. A number of locations are monitored and tests are made on a periodic basis of both circuits and signaling equipment. Dispatchers are trained to handle line trouble and system fault conditions, to contact appropriate building personnel and to immediately dispatch police personnel when alarm signals are received.
The City’s Emergency Fire-Box Signaling System
The City maintains special Emergency Fire Boxes in public places as an aid to citizens who need to signal for assistance. Dispatchers are trained to receive signals from these devices as well as check on their status and report operational problems.
The City’s Fire Station Alerting System
The City alerts its fire companies to respond to fire and EMS events through a “Zetron” and back-up “Bell Circuit” signaling system. This computer-controlled, direct-current, directly wired system operates through a master panel, primary circuit panels, backup circuit panels, 3 station receivers, and a master console unit. This equipment is critical to the immediate dispatch of fire apparatus in the event of a fire or medical emergency.
The City’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System
The City's CAD system is at the heart of dispatcher activity. This large-scale system has interfaces to the Digitize Fire Alarm Signaling and E911 systems such that transmissions from these systems are automatically received by CAD and call-record information pre-entered into CAD screens.
The City’s Enhanced 911 and GPS Telephone System
Enhanced 911 technologies enable Watertown residents to have their exact street address, telephone billing name, calling telephone number, and other facts displayed on a special computer screen within 1-3 seconds of their 911 call being answered at Emergency Communications. This system allows persons who cannot speak because of a handicap or medical condition, who do not speak English, or who are very young children to signal Emergency Communications of their need for assistance without having to utter a word. Operators are trained in the use of this complex equipment by special state trainers who test and certify their abilities.
TDD Signaling Systems (for hearing impaired residents)
Additional state-provided TDD equipment was installed in 1995 to allow hearing impaired city residents to use TDD/TYY devices to communicate with the Emergency Communications Center over both 911 and 7-digit lines. Operators are trained in the use of this TDD equipment by special state trainers who will test and certify their abilities.
Criminal Justice Information System
The CJIS computer system is located in and operated by Emergency Communications personnel. This system has various police signaling and “telegraph” capabilities as it is the primary means that the City notifies surrounding towns, the regional area, or the entire country of a fleeing felon, a major emergency, a stolen vehicle, or other primary alert conditions that should immediately be sent to other jurisdictions. Operators receive training in this extremely complex system and are required to pass an examination before operating a terminal.
Tour the Communications Center
The Dispatchers
Special thanks to Public Safety Dispatcher Phillip D'Agostino for his collaboration on this page.
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