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Comparing twitter to a 911 call center is like comparing a monochrome display to a 4k display 911 call centers have to interface with many different computer s

by thezach 13y ago

Comparing twitter to a 911 call center is like comparing a monochrome display to a 4k display 911 call centers have to interface with many different computer systems (for example the National Criminal Information center, department of motor vehicles, FBI CJIS, in house databases, court records systems, mapping, computer aided dispatch, weather information, etc. Many of these systems (the NCIC, and CJIS have very strict requirements on what can and can not connect to their systems, and on top of that who can use a terminal that connects to their systems). Its not an easy task. However comparing it to twitter is just ... wow

hga 13y ago
Errr, but this one doesn't sound like it's quite that bad, from the OP it's a "find the address and dispatch to fire, police or EMS" system. Only the police system, which is I assume a bigger part of this 2 billion total "upgrade" really needs most of what you've outlined. Doesn't sound like there's anything particularly sensitive in this system, although it's certainly harder than Twitter, which thezach in this subthread tells us is still presenting Fail Whales.
ams6110 13y ago
While not entirely disagreeing, I would ask whether there's room to question any of those requirements. WHY does the 911 call center need to interface to all those systems. WHY do I need an interface to the FBI or court records in order to respond to a call from a woman whose husband is having a heart attack in the living room? Tight coupling of many separate systems is a classic anti-pattern in software.
- thezach 13y ago
  because in most areas of the united states your the same person that is taking a call from a woman whos husband just beat her
briandear 13y ago
911 doesn't need to interface with the NCIS. That isn't helpful for a 911 dispatch. The police systems need that access but this whole discussion isn't about the police system, it's about triaging calls to the appropriate responding agency. FBI data is irrelevant. The FBI is never dispatched via 911, FBI dispatch would happen only after the local agencies deemed it necessary (at least in this context.) 911 operators do not have access to the NCIS.
- thezach 13y ago
  Its NCIC... not NCIS... Gibbs would be slapping you on the back of the head right now. And yes 911 operators do have access to NCIC and FBI CJIS. They often are running people involved in incidents when cars are en route. Knowing who they are dealing with often dictates the number of cars that respond, the officers tactics when responding, etc. Both of those databases have nationwide info that states share on warrants, convictions, drivers licenses, etc

by thezach 13y ago

hga 13y ago

Errr, but this one doesn't sound like it's quite that bad, from the OP it's a "find the address and dispatch to fire, police or EMS" system. Only the police system, which is I assume a bigger part of this 2 billion total "upgrade" really needs most of what you've outlined. Doesn't sound like there's anything particularly sensitive in this system, although it's certainly harder than Twitter, which thezach in this subthread tells us is still presenting Fail Whales.

ams6110 13y ago

While not entirely disagreeing, I would ask whether there's room to question any of those requirements. WHY does the 911 call center need to interface to all those systems. WHY do I need an interface to the FBI or court records in order to respond to a call from a woman whose husband is having a heart attack in the living room? Tight coupling of many separate systems is a classic anti-pattern in software.

thezach 13y ago
because in most areas of the united states your the same person that is taking a call from a woman whos husband just beat her

briandear 13y ago

911 doesn't need to interface with the NCIS. That isn't helpful for a 911 dispatch. The police systems need that access but this whole discussion isn't about the police system, it's about triaging calls to the appropriate responding agency. FBI data is irrelevant. The FBI is never dispatched via 911, FBI dispatch would happen only after the local agencies deemed it necessary (at least in this context.) 911 operators do not have access to the NCIS.

thezach 13y ago
Its NCIC... not NCIS... Gibbs would be slapping you on the back of the head right now. And yes 911 operators do have access to NCIC and FBI CJIS. They often are running people involved in incidents when cars are en route. Knowing who they are dealing with often dictates the number of cars that respond, the officers tactics when responding, etc. Both of those databases have nationwide info that states share on warrants, convictions, drivers licenses, etc