March 11, 2014 -- The multi-million dollar, digital technology powered Public Safety Communications Network (PSCN) was commissioned in 2008 and has significantly enhanced the response time of public safety agencies to emergency situations.
That is the view of Minister of Telecommunications, Science and Technology Dr. Hon. Edmond Mansoor who outlined the benefits of the network and the effect it is having on the way public safety agencies respond to emergencies, during a press conference on Monday.
Antigua and Barbuda is the first country in the OECS sub-region, to have implemented a comprehensive two-way communication system for public safety agencies, as well as a fully computerized Emergency 911 response centre.
“Prior to 2004 when an individual dialed 911 seeking emergency assistance an officer at Police headquarters answered these calls. The equipment and the technology that was being utilized in this regard were outdated and in some instance obsolete.” Dr. Mansoor said.
The police and other security agencies having received a 911 call were then depending on a traditional desk phone to respond to the 911 caller. Having received a call the officer would in turn use a landline and place another call to whoever was best suited to respond to the 911 call.
“This approach was archaic and the government under my watch as telecommunications minister began developing a master plan to modernize the two way communications of all public safety agencies.” Dr Mansoor said.
In August of 2008, the Government launched the PSCN one of the largest investments in modernizing the way security and public safety agencies communicate with the public and each other. The network addresses 9-1-1 needs, as well as police and fire radio transmissions.
The PSCN is being utilized by the police, fire brigade, Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF), Emergency Medical Services, Coast Guard, Office of the National Drug Control and Money Laundering Policy (ONDCP), and National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) and prison.
In November 2008 a few months after the PSCN was launched a modern E-911 centre was launched.
“At least ninety percent of calls to the E-911 centre are answered within ten seconds or less." Dr. Mansoor said.
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