As part of the City’s digital transformation efforts, the entire Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system was replaced with New World CAD of Tyler Technologies – a premier, state-of-the-art CAD system. This replacement allows emergency communications and public safety departments to meet standards of requirements of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), to include encrypted messaging through Emergency Communications, as dictated by state and federal laws.
During the course of the CAD implementation, it was discovered that the legacy communication protocols, when communicating with third-party external applications, would not sufficiently support the CJIS encryption requirements. This specifically affected a digital application -- IamResponding -- being utilized by many area volunteer fire departments as a secondary means of communication.
(Radio communication still remains the primary means of communication to all departments dispatched by the City of Lawton Emergency Communications Center; radio communication has not been affected by the implementation.) Alongside Tyler Technologies, the City worked to identify and implement an alternative solution for Comanche County Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD) that will be able to meet the needs of their agencies, as well as those of the Lawton Fire Department (LFD).
The Lawton Fire Department began utilizing the CrewForce application on April 16, 2021. Among many other benefits, this application allows for:
• Clear, concise real-time information of both incidents and operational unit status
• Role-based data available as needed on mobile applications
• Automatic updates and information-sharing between applications
• Feature-rich GIS capabilities for faster routing and better preparation
• Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) for enhanced situational awareness of both incident commanders, agency commands, and dispatch personnel
• Enhanced communication capabilities between agencies, as well as dispatch personnel
• Dispatch activity and calls monitoring
• Per unit control of operational status and automated Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) as an on-scene personnel management safety system to provide efficiency and reduce operational load on dispatch personnel
Prior to completion of the implementation of the new CAD system, the City met with County volunteer fire department representatives, the County Emergency Management Manager, and representatives from the County Commissioners’ offices. Following those meetings, the City worked with Tyler Technologies to obtain favorable pricing for countywide licensing to implement CrewForce as an alternative solution to those department’s wanting a secondary means of communication. The unlimited licensing has an initial cost of $57,000 and an annual software maintenance fee of $15,000.
The City of Lawton – the county seat of Comanche County – is dedicated to finding a pathway forward with such vital community partners. Although security of the system, including encryption of information, must be maintained, improving efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of the City and County, especially in areas of public safety, is a topmost priority of both City Management and the City Council.
Discussions with County VFD, commissioners and other leadership remain open at this time. Any significant and relevant updates to this matter will be made available to the Press and community partners.