Tour these PSAPs to see the unique ways they service urban, suburban and transit environments. Please sign up on site during the APCO Annual Conference at the Information Desk! Transporation to and from the PSAP centers will be provided at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Sunday, August 7 - 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Chester County Emergency Services
Chester County contains 756 square miles—the 28^th largest of Pennsylvania's 67 counties—and has a residential population of 500,000. 9-1-1 Operations has 80 full-time and eight part-time telecommunicators. In 2010, the PSAP received 291,000 requests resulting in more than 360,000 police, EMS and fire dispatches. Four platoons work rotating 12-hour shifts. Each has a platoon leader, assistant platoon leader and up to three alternate supervisors. Telecommunicators who are APCO certified instructors conduct basic telecommunicator, EMD and dispatch training in house. Monthly computer-based continuing education is also provided.

Monday, August 8 - 1:00pm- 3:00pm
City of Philadelphia Police Department Communications Center
The Philadelphia Police Department is the nation's fourth largest police department. It is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for serving Philadelphia County. Geographically, the department is divided into 22 police districts serving a population of 1.5 million in 140 square miles. 277 dispatchers, which are all trained in calltaking/dispatching functionality, handled three million calls in 2010. Its radio system is a city wide Motorola Astro 25 800 Mhz. with 10 simulcast sites which is currently being upgraded.  

Tuesday, August 9 - 1:00pm- 3:00pm
Gloucester County, NJ Emergency Response Department
Gloucester County, NJ Emergency Response Department dispatches 40 fire departments, 11 ambulance squads, and four paramedic units.  Gloucester County is the first in New Jersey to do Regional Countywide Emergency Medical Services. The department answers about 500 9-1-1 emergency calls and over 900 non-emergency & police related calls daily. The mission of the Department of Emergency Response is centered on the advancement of the quality of life for the 293,000 people of Gloucester County.

“As of December 2010 Gloucester County has increased its service area by becoming a regional PSAP / and public safety dispatch point for 3 municipalities in neighboring Atlantic County the coverage area is approximately 15,000 people in 63 square miles.”

Wednesday, August 10 - 9:00am- 11:00am
SEPTA Emergency Operations Center
SEPTA's Transit Police Department work to provide riders with a safe and secure travel environment, while protecting Authority property and personnel. About 260 sworn personnel are responsible for SEPTA's 2,200 square-mile service region. The Department uses a radio interoperability system (RIOS) with voice-over Internet protocol to connect dissimilar communications systems into talk groups. Currently, over 250 agencies have access to SEPTA’s RIOS system. To enable outside agencies communicate underground by radio, it developed a portable underground radio repeater system that can interface with RIOS. Further, transit police officers can link CAD systems with other agencies to coordinate emergency response. Smart Stations will interface closed-circuit television cameras, intrusion detection systems and other security and life safety procedures over a fiber-optic network.