Putnam 911 Gets New Call Recording System

Putnam County 911 acquired an upgraded call recording system in an effort to keep the department’s technology up-to-date.

911 Assistant Director Josh Womack said the department’s previous system lasted nine years and could not be upgraded or patched any further. Womack said the new system includes an upgraded server and new interface.

“There’s a QA module, which is a quality assurance module, to make sure that the dispatchers are up to standard and they’re asking the right stuff,” Womack said. “And it’s not meant to be a punitive thing, it’s just to make sure that ‘hey, every caller is getting the same standard of care when they call.’”

Womack said the department already had in-house quality assurance measures but having one built into the recording system will make things easier. Womack said the system cost some $30,000 and is already installed and in use.

“The interface is basically the same but there’s some new features in there that we’ll probably have to look at and familiarize ourselves with, but nothing too elaborate” Womack said.

Womack said there are still a few bugs being worked out with the new system but it is similar to the old one overall. Womack said the system is used in various situations to re-listen to specific phone calls and radio traffic.

“It’s also used in cases that law enforcement is dealing with,” Womack said. “You know, did so-and-so call 911 or hey, what was said on this call? And that way if they’re taken at the trial or something they’ve got those calls recorded.”