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Reserve Your Seat TodayExpanding 911 alarm coverage with DPS Telecom's reliable monitoring and responsive support
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public Safety/911 Services |
| Company Type | County 911 Dispatch Center |
| Geography/Coverage | Kitsap County, Washington |
| Primary Challenge | Expanding alarm network without vendor lock-in |
| Solution Deployed | NetGuardian 832A Remote Monitoring |
| Key Result | Complete alarm coverage with ongoing support |
| Products Used | NetGuardian 832A, SNMP v2c compatible monitoring |
Kitsap County CENCOM provides 911 emergency services and dispatch for the entire Kitsap County area in Washington. Their 911 dispatching services depend on radio network communication between dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs. Communications technicians Tim Simonson and Ken Sala work at remote sites to ensure these mission-critical systems maintain total reliability.
Kitsap County needed to expand their alarm coverage across a 28 T1 microwave ring system while maintaining network reliability. Their existing vendor presented multiple obstacles that threatened this expansion. The team faced a critical decision: continue with an unresponsive vendor or find a partner who could support their mission-critical 911 operations.
The upgrade costs were prohibitive. Maintaining their older system with limited functionality would cost as much or more than purchasing a completely new system, including routers, switches, and monitoring equipment.
Support was essentially nonexistent. Documentation was difficult to find, websites were unreadable, and getting responses took weeks. When they finally got through, they spoke with automated systems or received generic auto-responses rather than technical help.
"Trying to find a way around that is like trying to find a golf ball in a snowstorm."
Tim Simonson, Communications Center Technician
Explore Remote Monitoring Solutions
Simonson and Sala needed alarm remotes that would work with their existing SNMP Manager while supporting their T1 transport and supervisory needs. They found the NetGuardian 832A offered the capacity and functionality they were looking for. The solution would need to integrate seamlessly with their 28 T1 microwave ring system, monitoring across their entire closed network without disrupting existing operations.
The NetGuardian provided seamless integration with their 28 T1 microwave ring system, using one T1 for alarm and supervisory operations across their closed network.
The NetGuardian 832A deployment gave Kitsap County the monitoring capacity they needed without the vendor frustrations they had experienced before. The implementation resolved their expansion challenges while establishing a partnership built on responsive technical support and reliable equipment performance.
Complete Network Visibility: They gained the ability to monitor every discrete point across all their buildings, dramatically expanding their alarm coverage across the entire county.
Direct Access to Engineering Expertise: When Simonson and Sala contacted DPS, they spoke directly with engineers who could solve problems, not call center representatives reading scripts.
Ongoing Technical Partnership: The relationship extended beyond the initial sale, providing the continual support essential for mission-critical 911 operations.
"When we looked at DPS Telecom's NetGuardian, we found the solution to ALL our alarm and monitoring issues."
Tim Simonson, Communications Center Technician
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| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost-Effective Expansion | Avoided expensive upgrades while gaining better functionality |
| Engineering-Level Support | Direct access to technical experts instead of call centers |
| Complete Integration | Seamless compatibility with existing SNMP management systems |
NetGuardian 832A Versatile remote monitoring unit for data transport networks, capable of monitoring all aspects of network infrastructure with SNMP compatibility.
Why is SNMP compatibility important for 911 dispatch centers?
SNMP compatibility allows emergency services to integrate monitoring equipment with existing network management systems. This prevents vendor lock-in and enables unified alarm management across multiple equipment types, ensuring dispatchers can monitor their entire communication infrastructure from a single interface.
How do T1 microwave networks support emergency communications?
T1 microwave networks provide dedicated, reliable connections between dispatch centers and remote tower sites. These networks carry radio communications between dispatchers and first responders. Any interruption in these connections can prevent emergency personnel from receiving dispatch instructions, making continuous monitoring essential.
What types of alarms should 911 centers monitor at remote sites?
Critical monitoring points include microwave signal fade, generator voltage, battery status, temperature extremes, door entry, and power system health. Each of these factors can affect the ability to dispatch emergency services, so early warning is essential.
How quickly do public safety organizations need to respond to network alarms?
In 911 environments, knowing about problems early is critical. If a microwave link fails while dispatchers are trying to coordinate fire, EMS, or police response, the radios at that site cannot be operated. Immediate notification allows technicians to address issues before they impact emergency response.
If you're responsible for public safety communications, you need monitoring equipment that works reliably and a vendor who responds when you call. Let's discuss your specific requirements.
Or call us: 1-800-693-0351
