NEWSLETTER

March 2007

● Symposium Technologies Makes Technology Work for Yarmouth Fire, Cape Cod Massachusetts

● Georgian College Program Uses Symposium’s Horizon EME to Help Prepare Next Generation of Dispatchers

Symposium Technologies Makes Technology Work for Yarmouth Fire, Cape Cod Massachusetts
Better Response, Smoother Operations – New System Gives Department the Capabilities and Control They Need

Making Transition to CAD-Based Dispatch Easy

The first days of 2007 have seen yet another public safety department – Yarmouth Fire Department of Cape Cod Massachusetts - choosing the Horizon EME CAD system as the solution for their dispatch and emergency management needs.

The delivery of Symposium’s complete Horizon EME CAD will represent a landmark occasion for Yarmouth, as all dispatch has traditionally been handled manually using paper. As well, it will also represent the first time that Yarmouth has enjoyed seamless one point of access to all the important response-based information, via Symposium’s integration with the FIREHOUSE® RMS and Pictometry® Visual Intelligence system.

Reliable, Ease of Implementation, Control

According to Alan Bowles of Yarmouth Fire, there were several critical reasons for choosing Symposium: “As a first-time CAD user, we wanted a high-powered, reliable system with a proven track record of smooth operation and implementation. Having seen the capabilities of the Symposium system in action at other departments in the area and hearing from existing customers how easy and straightforward the experience with the set up and support has been, we were really impressed.”

In making their final decision, speaking with other Symposium clients was a very important factor. Alan and the Yarmouth team received a great deal of positive feedback from existing clients regarding Symposium’s reputation for delivering a reliable system, quickly: “Fast implementation, a stable system, great satisfaction and control – everyone we talked to, we heard this again and again.”

The Future is Mobile

Going forward, Yarmouth is also looking to make use of the capabilities the Symposium system can put in the truck with mapping and two-way mobile access to the CAD, RMS and Pictometry® images via the EM Mobile mobile data system. In Alan’s words, “We know with the technology Symposium’s developed, things are only going to get better. We’re satisfied that we made the very best choice for our needs, both now and in the future.”

The Horizon EME – Over Twenty Agencies and Going Strong

Yarmouth will mark the 21st agency served by the EME since the system’s introduction near the beginning of 2004, with the speed of adoption increasing as ever-more departments see the practical benefits the system brings to dispatch and public safety. With industry-leading features that enhance response and safety, coupled with an established track record of smooth implementations on-time and on-budget, the EME is fast becoming recognized as a true leading-edge system in dispatch and mobile data technology.

Georgian College Program Uses Symposium’s Horizon EME to Help Prepare Next Generation of Dispatchers
New Training Program Gives Clients Option of Enhancing Training for New and Existing Dispatchers

Real World Training Using Real World System

The new Dispatcher’s Program from Georgian College offers professional and comprehensive training in all areas of call taking and dispatch for the full range of public safety agencies. With an impressive client list of public safety and government departments, Georgian’s program boasts experienced instructors and an emphasis on delivering hands-on training in realistic situations. As part of the approach of offering “real world” training and experience, Georgian required a commercially available dispatching system that reflected the needs of students and public safety agencies alike. Having heard and seen many good things about the Horizon EME, the college approached Symposium to form an educational partnership, thereby putting the EME at the center of the program’s curriculum.

Choosing the Horizon EME - Wide Use, Advanced Features, Flexibility

According Ron Welbourn, President of public safety training company Proven Ways and Director of the Georgian College program, the Horizon EME was an ideal fit: “Dispatching nowadays is all about using advanced technology to manage complex and time-critical situations. Symposium’s system is a great fit because it provides our students with the widest combination of benefits”. When asked what these were, he narrowed it down to three things – Wide Use, Advanced Features, and Flexibility: “Firstly, it’s a widely-deployed system, which in turn helps make our students more competitive in the workforce. Secondly, it has some of the most advanced features available anywhere, which provides students with the familiarity and confidence to get the most out of available technology. Thirdly, it can be easily configured to handle the needs of any client, thereby reflecting the broad scope of our program and helping us teach students how to wok well in multi-agency environments where interoperability is key.”

Symposium Clients Reap Benefits of New Program

Already some existing Symposium clients are reaping the benefits of the Georgian program, with several taking advantage of its recognized certification and professional structure to contract out training for new dispatchers and existing staff alike. As time goes on, these benefits are expected to increase as more applicants for new dispatching positions will come already trained and certified on the system, resulting in lower costs, quicker learning curve, and smoother and more efficient operations.

For its part, Symposium is pleased to be working in partnership with educators and public safety professionals to help advance knowledge and professionalism in the dispatching field. This in turn can only result in greater benefits to our clients, and by extension, the public that they serve and protect.

For more information, or for those interested in seeing the system in action, please contact Symposium by emailing us at info@symposium911.com.

Next Issue

More contract announcements, new system enhancements, and lots of other great stuff!

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