Guarding Efficiency of Emergency Informational Systems to Protect Citizens - Essay Example

With the ever-changing advancements in technology, however, many of its operations, including its 911 operations system, require improvements for efficient communication to adequately accommodate the needs and provide sufficient safety for all citizens. According to former fire Lieutenant Michael Pena, information sharing is an essential component of any rescue operation. Without proper information sharing, a rescue operation could be frustrating (Golden, 2006). Thus, a centralized source of information offers efficient communication, which is critical for the operations of many organizations (ISACA).

A centralized source is even more effective when it has the capabilities to quickly relay information to other sources. Of FLPD's three major bureaus, the Support Services Bureau contains The Information Services Division, which handles all communication functions (SafirRosetti, 2006).Within the Information Services Division is the Information Systems Unit (ISU). The ISU is connected to many important systems to support and manage numerous critical functions. For example, the ISU's informational contribution to Florida Crime Information Center Systems adds pertinent information to The National Crime Information Center Systems.

The Information Services Division also includes the Public Safety Communications Center, which is responsible for processing incoming calls, dispatching, and teletype (SafirRosetti, 2006). Since 1925, FLPD's communication system has upgraded from one telephone to a center that provides 911 computer and radio communications for approximately 700 police and 300 fire employees (flpd.org). Each year the center handles approximately 500,000 phone calls, which at times require that the dispatcher rely upon information from other informational sources.

In response, a dispatcher must evaluate a call before dispatching the appropriate unit. A phone call requiring a police response is entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) before forwarded to the dispatch section. Managed and supported by the ISU, the CAD matches and relays pertinent information. Thus, a dispatcher could consult the ISU via the CAD and warn a responding officer of much need information prior to his or her arrival on a crime scene. Without knowing the priors of a violent criminal from another state, an officer responding to a 911 call would be ill prepared and vulnerable.

On the other hand, an aware officer could better assess the criminal and situation and handle them accordingly. Thus, the interconnectivity of systems provides invaluable information and should be preserved and protected.Adequacy in Systems Protection Preservation and protection for vital information is essential. Further, reliability of the information retrieved from the system assures deciding officers and equips them with confidence when making decisions. Faulty information from the system could result in an officer making a grave mistake.

In addition, faulty information results in time lost when a department tries to recover from