ENHANCED 9-1-1

9-1-1 is the universal emergency telephone number used.  9-1-1 calls in this jurisdiction are routed to the NORTH MECKLENBURG COMMUNICATIONS CENTER in Cornelius.  The enhanced 9-1-1 system has automatic number identification and automatic location identifications.  The system consists of 3, 9-1-1 lines coming into the answering positions.  The system automatically displays the number of the calling party and displays the full telephone data in the display.  The number, date, time, and name of caller as registered with the phone company, address, type of phone, and dispatch information is normally listed.  As of August, 2005 we have become Phase II compliant.  We are able to locate a cell phone caller within 100 ft of the callers location by utilizing Longitude and Latitude.  This feature is still being installed and has been used where there was limited information when the cell phones have been GPS activated.  We recommend all people activate this feature on their cell phones if availble.

RADIO SYSTEM

The North Mecklenburg Communications Center is an independent user of part of Mecklenburg County’s “800” trunked radio system.  The Center shares system equipment, facilities, and usage with various public safety agencies that operate within Mecklenburg County including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Communications, Charlotte City Fire Communications, MEDIC Communications, Mecklenburg County Fire Communications, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department Communications, Pineville Police Communications, Matthews Police Communications, etc.

The “800” trunked radio system is a computer controlled configuration of 28 frequencies.  Because of computer control, these 28 frequencies can be adequately shared over 500 different “talk groups” in Mecklenburg County.  Every time a user keys a microphone to transmit, the computer recognizes that user, determines which other users are supposed to be attached, chooses an available frequency and assigns those users to allow transmission and reception.  This all happens instantaneously and seamlessly.  Additionally, the system allows for “private calling: conversations between two radio users to the exclusion of all others, and a telephone interconnect system to allow users to use the radio like a cellular telephone.  An emergency button is also located on every radio.  This feature allows override of all other radio traffic, giving a user instant contact with a dispatcher. 
 

The NORTH MECKLENBURG COMMUNICATIONS CENTER has five primary “Talk Groups” assigned to it.  They are used as follows:

·        Channel 1     The main dispatch talk group, used for most radio traffic including assignment of calls for service.

·        Channel 2     Second dispatch talk group, used for radio traffic between an officer and the telecommunicator that is not appropriate for the main dispatch channel or when the main channel is overly busy.  It is also used for “quiet operations” such as building searches when radio traffic needs to be minimized. 

·        Channel 3     Conference talk group, used for officer-to-officer communications that are not appropriate or too lengthy for the main dispatch talk group.

·        Channel 4      Public works talk group, used by the Town of Cornelius Electric and Streets Departments for routine communications.  
 

·        Channel 5      Tactical talk group, used for special police operations and assignments.

The NORTH MECKLENBURG COMMUNICATIONS CENTER mainly utilizes three Motorola Gold Elite consoles. These consoles allow the telecommunicators to have direct transmit and receive capabilities with various outside agencies including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, NC State Highway Patrol, Motorists Assistance Patrol, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department, etc. Additionally, these consoles have the capability to be switched to any number of other public safety talk groups that utilize the “800” trunked system.

The NORTH MECKLENBURG COMMUNICATIONS CENTER is constantly operated by at least two telecommunicators. These two telecommunicators occupy two dispatch positions that are set up with redundant capabilities to allow either telecommunicator to perform any task without having to switch locations.