Putnam Computer Dispatch System May Be Replaced In Future

Putnam County 911 Director Penny Foister said the county may need a new computer aided dispatch system in the near future.

Foister reported to the Putnam County Emergency Communications Board Thursday saying the current vendor may require an update. Foister said the system calculates call information and determines who to page.

“We are hearing rumors that Central Square may send a letter out saying you need to upgrade to this new version we got,” Foister said. “Some folks are worried that when that happens they will give you 14 months to get your stuff and leave. We could get something like that and be in the market for a new CAD system.”

Foister said the current system has been used since 2016. Foister said if the price tag is too expensive, she would not want to make the change.

“We don’t know what kind of cost range it would be,” Foister said. “Pretty much we expect it to not just be an upgrade price, but here you are starting over send us in $1 million or $2 million and I wouldn’t want to do it.”

Foister said the company is transitioning from its legacy version to a new cloud-based dispatch system.  Public Information Officer Josh Womack said the online version would require the full system to be rebuilt.