About COBOL CAD:
PRC is very aware that municipalities operate in a world of limited budgets and must show accountability to their constituents by obtaining the most value for the funds expended. Mindful of that, we have a Classic Series product known as our COBOL CAD system. Our COBOL CAD system provides the base functionality that will satisfy the majority of a client's requirements at an affordable price. Once installed, PRC will work with the client to identify and implement future enhancements to the system. This approach will provide the client with a dependable, time-tested CAD solution that is available and in use today across the country.

PRC understands and appreciates the unique requirements that exist when serving multi-agency public safety communications centers. Our system allows sites to tailor the system to meet each agency's unique requirements. The COBOL CAD system offers an agency a myriad of options to perform the tasks of call taking, dispatching, on-line resource and contact information, record keeping and record retrieval. The COBOL CAD system is designed to improve the quantity, quality and speed of information processing. It minimizes the effort required to service public and department requests. This system eliminates many of the time intensive tasks required of a manual or ill-designed automated dispatch system.

The hardware suite proposed as part of this solution offers a reliable, state-of-the-art system. It has been configured with numerous system redundancy features that will provide the high reliability and availability that an automated public safety system must posses. In addition, it provides a growth path that will protect the client's investment for many years to come.

PRC's solution for the client provides a solution offering state-of-the art technology, reliability, redundancy, and opportunity for cost effective growth. The solution includes PRC's COBOL CAD system running on Compaq Corporation's Alpha technology hardware.

COBOL CAD
COBOL CAD provides direct and indirect benefits to the agencies served by the system. Some of the more significant benefits are listed below:

	COBOL CAD minimizes delays involved in taking call information and transferring information to dispatchers.
	COBOL CAD enhances the completeness and accuracy of information.
	COBOL CAD provides the ability to monitor event and unit activity in real-time.
	COBOL CAD enables supervisory personnel to effectively monitor communications center operations, and respond to special conditions in an organized and timely manner.
	COBOL CAD provides supporting information that enhances the delivery of services and safety of responding personnel.
	COBOL CAD is built using an object-oriented building block approach.
	COBOL CAD uses a Geofile that effectively address multi-agency operations.

COBOL CAD Introduction

COBOL CAD is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness and delivery of police, fire, and emergency medical services. The COBOL CAD system enables communications center personnel to more appropriately deal with calls for service and response units. COBOL CAD provides information when and where it is needed, to efficiently support the command and control operations of public safety agencies. By providing system support, CAD facilities performance of command and control activities in a more accurate and timely manner. While enhanced operation of the emergency communications center may represent the most visible impact of COBOL CAD, the system provides operational benefits throughout the public safety arena and ultimately to the citizens of the communities and facilities served by the system.

Technological Support

COBOL CAD provides the technology to support personnel responsible for carrying out critical public safety communication functions. One of COBOL CAD's main features provides the capability to effectively manage service calls and unit responses for single or multi-agency communications centers.

The CAD system performs three fundamental activities:

	It receives commands from users and receives messages from remote systems.
	It processes commands, messages and maintains the system database.
	It sends messages to users and to remote systems.

COBOL CAD provides direct and indirect benefits to the agencies served by the system. Some of the more significant benefits are listed below:

Minimize Delays

COBOL CAD minimizes delays involved in taking call information and transferring information to dispatchers.

Accurate Information

COBOL CAD enhances the completeness and accuracy of information. Location determination is more accurate. Since call time, user identification, and response information are automatically appended to the call record, communications personnel can spend more time on effective call management.

Maintain Control

COBOL CAD supports dispatchers in maintaining control over events and assigned units. The ability to monitor event and unit activity in real-time gives dispatchers an effective tool in support of their responsibilities.

Monitor Operations

COBOL CAD enables supervisory personnel to effectively monitor communications center operations, and respond to special conditions in an organized and timely manner.

Enhanced Delivery

COBOL CAD provides supporting information that enhances the delivery of services and safety of responding personnel. For example, the location information function delivers pertinent data about the location of an event. Field personnel can respond to a call with enhanced information.

Building Block Approach

COBOL CAD is built using an object-oriented building block approach. PRC understands and appreciates the unique requirements that exist when serving multi-agency public safety communications centers. This approach allows sites to tailor the system to optimally meet each agencies' unique requirements.

COBOL CAD's greatest asset is its user-friendly approach to public safety communications. The use of the Graphic User Interface, function keys, one-character commands, and straight-forward field descriptions in all input and inquiry masks result in fewer training hours for users and an easier transition from one system to another.

The COBOL CAD system offers an agency a myriad of options to perform the tasks of call taking, dispatching, on-line resource and contact information, record keeping and record retrieval. An overview of options are described in more depth below:

Geofile

The Geofile is comprised of four files: block, intersection, alias, and limited access roadway. These files effectively address multi-agency block assignments, common place names, street alias, true and non-true intersections, and out-of-jurisdiction locations. The geofile is flexible and effectively addresses unique location situations.

Incident Entry Mask

The Incident Entry mask is easily displayed by the use of a function key. Another function key will transfer 911 data into the Incident Entry mask. Typing a one-character action code in the Incident Entry mask allows the user to modify data in the Incident Entry mask, add supplemental remarks, transfer an incident to the dispatcher for immediate handling while the call taker adds further critical information, or save an incident that requires no unit response as Advised.

Individual Masks

Individual masks are available for input of suspect and suspect vehicle information. The masks are available on the Incident Entry form and are displayed by typing a one-character action code in the Action Code field. The suspect and suspect vehicle information is automatically attached to the incident by the system when the information is added at the time of incident entry. If the information is added after incident entry, it can be attached to the incident by the user.

Triage and Information Files

Triage and Information files are available to organize the questioning of callers, provide on-line access to policies and procedures, and access numbers for resources or emergency contact. Users display these files by typing TRIA for Triage or INFO for Information on the command line. The data files for Triage and Information provide organized structure, meaningful field descriptions, and sufficient character space for ease of entry and updates.

The Dispatch Workstation Setup and Dispatch Process is another example of the COBOL CAD system's efficiency. Workstation status monitors include: Waiting Incidents, Available Units, Active Events, Available Units by Quarters (Fire), Special Status Units, and Active Units are user-defined. The user may assign one or more Dispatch Groups (Agencies) to the Status Monitors. The monitors will display only those incidents and units that belong to the assigned Dispatch Groups.

Dispatching units to a Waiting incident is accomplished by displaying the incident and depressing a Function Key or using the Dispatch (D) command on the command line. Additional units are dispatched by the use of the Assist (A) or Cover (COV) commands. In the event that two units exchange their assignments, the dispatcher simply enters the Exchange (X) command with the two unit identifiers on the command line.

Field initiated activity is handled by this system in two different ways. The dispatcher enters either a pre-defined OUT code with the Unit identification and the location, or use one of the two-letter commands with the Unit number and the location. The Unit is now placed on an Incident and the information is displayed on the dispatcher or supervisor's Active Units monitor.

Examples of other features of COBOL CAD are:

	modifying response suggestions for each agency as the deployment of field resources increases or decreases
	incorporating different response suggestions for each incident type
	setting a different "overtime" warning at each change of incident status (waiting, dispatched, enroute, onscene, closed) for each incident type
	upgrading fire alarm level responses
	pager notification
	extensive use of colors/symbols/video attributes on status monitors
	security controlled system access
	hydrant files
	burn information

The COBOL CAD system is designed to improve the quantity, quality and speed of information processing while minimizing the effort required to service public and department requests. This system eliminates many of the time intensive tasks required of a manual or ill-designed automated dispatch system, providing the client with efficient and reliable public service.