URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- Emergency response times just got a whole lot faster in Champaign County following the introduction of a new protocol.
On Oct. 7, METCAD 911 Center became the 148th Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the United States and the 2nd PSAP in Illinois to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP to PSAP).
This new protocol creates a direct connection between alarm monitoring companies and Champaign County's 911 telecommunicators.
ASAP to PSAP allows alarm details to be sent straight to METCAD's dispatch software. This notifies dispatch, allowing them to immediately call upon emergency services in seconds.
"By sending the alarm signal over ASAP, information like the customer's name, address, alarm type, and other details can be instantly transmitted without the need for the information exchange to occur during a telephone call," said METCAD Deputy Director Jeff Wooten.
According to METCAD, before this system was implemented, alarm companies would have to manually call the dispatch center over the phone when an emergency medical, police, or fire alarm was activated, and a response was needed.
Each year, METCAD receives roughly 5,000 alarm calls. It is expected that 80% of these calls will now be processed through ASAP to PSAP instead of over the phone.
"That translates to valuable seconds being shaved off the time it takes to get first responders dispatched," Wooten said.