About MECCA 9-1-1
MECCA 9-1-1 is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
for residents and occupants of Monongalia County. A PSAP is
an
agency charged with answering and handling 9-1-1 calls as well as
non-emergency calls for service. In addition to answering
telephone calls, MECCA 9-1-1 is also responsible for dispatching the
proper response units for calls for service via radio.
Communications Center
The Communications Center, of which you see pictures here, is the heart of MECCA 9-1-1. This is the room where all phones are answered, all radio transmissions are completed, and all other important public safety operations take place.
Telecommunicator Positions
There are six positions in the communications center for telecommunicators to work from. They are all outfitted with the same equipment:
- ANI/ALI Screen: The heart of E-9-1-1, Automatic Number Information/Automatic Location Information provides telecommunicators with a 9-1-1 caller's name and phone number, as well as physical address if the call is being made from a land line. If the 9-1-1 call is wireless, the name and location of the cell tower site the call is coming from is displayed, along with an approximate latitude/longitude.
- CAD Screen: Computer Aided Dispatch is utilized by 9-1-1 centers around the world to aid in processing calls and routing them to the proper dispatcher/agency, keeping track of response units and their status, mapping/directions, etc.
- Radio Screen: Allows telecommunicators to listen to or broadcast over any frequency MECCA 9-1-1 utilizes. Alert tones and page tones used to alert fire and EMS agencies are also activated through this screen.
- Teletype Screen: The computer that allows telecommunicators to interface with state record bureaus and NCIC, the National Criminal Information Center. This allows telecommunicators, acting on behalf of an arresting officer, to access an individuals criminal record for criminal justice and processing purposes. Driver's licenses, license plates, and other similar info are also checked through this system.