EL PASO, TEXAS – The City of El Paso’s city council has approved the purchase of new communications technology to connect the City’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to the first responder vehicles the City owns, specifically police and fire vehicles.

According to City documents, the contract is for $1,300,850 for the new system, which includes network data communications, applications, and devices. The City purchased the system from Insight Public Sector, Inc. This system will provide a secure connection between public safety agencies and the public safety network, which is connected to the City’s CAD system. The system will interface with Verizon Broadband networks.

The City’s emergency management coordinator and purchasing director said the reason they need the upgrade is to ensure communication between dispatch and units in the field. The system will allow other devices to tether using WiFi or Bluetooth to access the City’s secure network and other online content.

This system will be purchased via participation in the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance Cooperative Program.

By Greg Basich