Command-ing your attention
Published on October 23rd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - It may have looked like an extension of Air Force One to some observers, and a space age vehicle to others, however the large bus parked outside of the Melrose Town Hall last Friday was the state-of-the-art Middlesex County Command Center.
The 40 feet long and over 13 feet high Command Center, commands attention when it arrives on scene at any location. This vehicle will prepare Middlesex County for disasters and provide a unique tool in the public service sector.
Sheriff James V. DiPaola spearheaded the effort to create this universal tool for Middlesex County with the input of many fire, police, and other emergency personnel throughout the public service community following the terrorist attacks of September 11.
This vehicle is a tool for local communities to utilize, such as the police and fire departments. The sheriff’s office trains the local agencies how to operate and utilize this resource but does not seize command of the vehicle during any event or disaster.
“The local community will operate this Command Center,” said Sheriff DiPaola, “not the sheriff’s office.”
It is equipped with two cameras, one with night vision capabilities, atop a 40-foot boom that rises from the roof of the bus and enabling authorities to zoom in with a half-mile range. The high-tech cameras are equipped with sensors that prevent it from rising into an overhead obstruction such as telephone wires. There are another four cameras on the perimeter of the Command Center providing a 360-degree view of the exterior.
Sheriff DiPaola said this tool would have been helpful when the demonstration a couple of weeks ago at the Wakefield library got out of hand.
“For one thing, the cameras could have recorded the action and provided evidence to help prosecute those responsible for the uprising,” said DiPaola
A Global Positioning System (GPS) allows the driver and officials in the conference room to map out any location in the world with exact directions, and those positions can be viewed on the 43 inch plasma television screen. The flat screen monitor can also put the camera’s views on screen with either a split screen with four views at one time or just one important angle. The screen can also be used for teleconferencing with authorities worldwide
The Command Center has the capability to boost or manipulate the frequencies of individual civil service agencies so that they can effectively communicate with one another. Such capability was not available on September 11, in New York, creating much of the strife that ensued in responding to the terrorist attack. Members of the police department, fire department and the Transit Authority were not able to sufficiently communicate with each other.
According to Sheriff DiPaola this proactive measure in supplying this resource to the 54 cities and towns throughout Middlesex County could potentially avoid future lawsuits involving preparedness. Dip-aola said that several families of civil service employees who perished on September 11, 2001 are suing the city of New York for not being properly prepared for the historically catastrophic terrorist attack.
“This vehicle lets the public know we are taking steps to prepare for disasters,” said DiPaola. “The 1.4 million people of Middlesex County have a new resource that prepares us for a disaster.”
With the ability to fax, use satellite internet service on demand, communicate with every frequency throughout the civil service community including surveillance aircraft, and an on-site television broadcasting, this Command Center is one of only two in the country, putting Middlesex County at the forefront of this public service technology.
Among their other high-tech equipment includes a complete weather station, video conferencing, satellite video and audio capabilities, topographical mapping, four public address speakers, and an extendible spotlight that can illuminate a football field size area.
The satellite Internet service fills a void realized in New York City when all cell phones were rendered useless. It will provide another means of communicating with the rest of the world outside of a disaster area.
The top of the bus is a field of high-technology equipment and an observation deck because, as Sheriff DiPaola explained,
“Sometimes you have to get out there and view a situation personally.”
The Command Center is divided into three separate operational sections. The driver’s portion is equipped with many of the communication capabilities available throughout the bus. The center of the bus is the radio and communications hub of the vehicle. It has many radios that are capable of communicating with portable radios of all band widths and cell phone and telephone callers. The rear of the bus, the conference room, has the large television screen, teleconferencing equipment and can seat 8 to 10 people. Each of the three sections can be closed off to allow for interruption free operations.
The Command Center has a Diesel Generator with a 250-gallon gas tank that can provide several days worth of power. It is equipped with a bathroom and a 30-day supply of fresh water and a carbon monoxide detector to ensure the vehicle is not overcome by the fumes of the bus motor or the diesel generator.
In attendance with a couple of Stoneham firefighters, Stone-ham Police Chief Gregory O'Keefe and a host of Melrose firefighters agreed,
“This is a beautiful vehicle,” said O’Keefe. Stoneham Deputy Fire Chief James Halpin was intrigued with the various uses of the apparatus and called it a “wonderful tool.”
As the local police and fire department employees paused for lunch at Friday’s presentation, they discussed a litany of possibilities the Command Center could be used for. The skyward camera could be used to detect flame patterns, according to the firefighters, which would aide in their approach in fighting fires.
DiPaola imagined the possibility the camera footage, which can be recorded via VHS or digital means, could be used in identifying license plates or persons involved in illegal activity. With all of the tools to protect the public including extra protection for children in large crowds, the Command Center will be used for civic activities as well as public service issues. It was very useful at the Everett homecoming football game recently, when 50,000 were in attendance, said DiPaola.
DiPaola is encouraged by the comments he receives from residents and public service employees who are impressed with the vehicle.
“Everybody that tours the Command Center sees a different potential use,” said DiPaola.
According to Robert Buono, a Stoneham native and member of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s office, the Command Center has 80 percent of its wall surfaces covered with dry erase board, providing a medium to write information down quickly as it comes into the Command Center. Another dry erase board in the Conference Room of the vehicle has the capability of printing out whatever is scribed on the board.
Bouno, who helped in organizing the design of the Command Center is trained on the various technologies of the vehicle and trains agencies throughout the county.
“This vehicle shows an organized effort of our agencies,” said Bouno.
Jean Hall of Senator Richard Tisei’s office was in attendance on behalf of the senator and was very impressed with the technology the Command Center provides.
“Hopefully we’ll never have to use it,” said Hall of the technology. “It would have been useful in Wakefield a few weeks ago, and when Michael McDermott horrified the neighborhood a few years ago,” said Hall.
The Command Center responds to the concerns of President George Bush when he addressed his Homeland Security employees following September 11.
“By uniting essential agencies that will work closely together, it will give new tools to meet new challenges. It will help set priority.” said President Bush of the Community Command Center in a press release.
The $800,000 Command Center was made possible by Federal Grants and reimbursement grants, according to Sheriff DiPaola. The reimbursement funds were kept in the budget with the help of the state legislature who allowed the funds to be committed to this Command Center project.
The bus, with a partial stainless steel exterior and scores of high technology equipment will be seen at major events and training exercises throughout the county for the next several months. Hopefully it will not have to be utilized for a tragic event but if need be, Middlesex County is now sufficiently prepared.
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