Public Safety Communications Project Profiles
Christian County Emergency Services
Christian County, Missouri
Due to the county’s growth, CCES needed to expand the number of dispatching positions within an existing space. Additionally, they wanted all dispatching positions to be fully outfitted with ergonomic adjustment, comfort controls and improved technology integration capabilities.
The Challenge
The room was small and already “felt” maxed out. It would take some creative space planning to accommodate the additional positions. CCES also desires improved traffic flow for a cleaner, more modern and professional office space.
The Solution
CCES consulted multiple vendors that provided consoles, and in the end, selected Russ Bassett as their preferred vendor. When other manufacturers said “it couldn’t be done,” Russ Bassett delivered well-appointed, high quality consoles with a plan that maximized the small space of their communication center.
Overview
9 Positions
6 Define
Consoles
- Slatwall Array
- Personal Comfort System
- Status Indicator Light
- Slatwall Work Tools
- Blue Ambient Lighting
- Safeguard Shields
Installed In
2020
Christian County Emergency Services Delivers BIG from a Re-Imagined Small Space
Due to the county’s growth, CCES needed to expand the number of dispatching positions within an existing space. Additionally, they wanted all dispatching positions to be fully outfitted with ergonomic adjustment, comfort controls and improved technology integration capabilities. CCES also needed to create an environment that would aid with social distancing to assist with health concerns such as COVID-19, the seasonal flu, and other potential pandemics.
Executive Director, Becky Bacon, set out to expand the agency’s dispatching capabilities because she knew it was time to replace aging consoles and add positions to the already full space. Bacon is a dispatching veteran and has led two previous console renovations, and therefore knew this would not be an easy task. “As you see, we are a small center and small spaces can be challenging,” Bacon said. However, she was confident that it could happen with the support of the right vendor, along with a cooperative and very creative design team.
CCES raised the bar for what a small agency can pursue and achieve. In accomplishing their goals, the newly redesigned space provided the following improvements:
- Better use of the overall space; increasing consoles by 1 full position (7 total) with 2 call-taking positions
- Providing ergonomic adjustment consoles, which further improved the work space
- Utilizing furniture that accommodated future technology changes/growth
- Adequately achieving social distancing recommendations
To accomplish all of these things, CCES needed to perform due diligence by researching and engaging multiple console furniture vendors, and Russ Bassett stood head and shoulders above the rest. Bacon shared this comment about the selection process, “Other companies said we couldn’t do it (accomplish an expansion in the confined space). What I liked about Russ Bassett is they listened. They listened to what we needed, and to our ideas. Then, they delivered a product that worked for our small center, without compromising quality.”
Christian County Before
More Effective Use of Space
With this remodel, Bacon’s vision was to have the team positioned in such a way that supported collaboration. She no longer wanted the team to feel “cramped” within their workspace. Russ Bassett’s design team proposed a solution which placed all active positions in a central island, which ultimately created a clean traffic flow within a modern and professional space that Director Bacon was challenged to overcome.
“They squeezed every inch out of the floor space,” said Bacon of the Russ Bassett Design Team. The new floor plan improved the work experience in four specific ways :
- A space that now boasts seven (7) full dispatch positions and two (2) call-taker positions
- Four banks of lockers that provide much needed personal storage security
- A supervisor positioned in such a way they can oversee the entire dispatch floor
- Created a primary traffic flow around the main island of dispatch positions
Bacon shared,
“Russ Bassett was able to take a small space and improve it. It is more professional,” “A change like this builds morale and standards go up. This is now a room that my team and our community can be proud of.”
More Comfort, Increased Safety, Better Focus
Blue Earth was seeking a more efficient, quieter, user-controlled heating and cooling solution. Dispatchers appreciated having cool air, but the old console fans were too noisy to use regularly. The dispatchers also needed localized heating in the cold winter months. However, the old consoles had ineffective radiant heating panels.
The Russ Bassett integrated Comfort Control System gives Blue Earth operators localized forced air heating and cooling from energy-efficient, ultra-quiet appliances. The desktop fans and under-surface heaters power on with a single touch. Both cooling fans can be placed anywhere on the desktop and directional air flow adjustment allows dispatchers to focus cool air where they need it. Both under-surface heaters tilt up or down to focus warm air where it is most beneficial. Both the fans and heaters move with the dispatcher when they change position from sitting to standing. As an additional safety measure, the system has an occupancy sensor that turns off the appliances when no movement is detected at the console; the appliances re-engage when the operator returns.
Improved Operator Experience
A priority for the CCES team was to ensure each dispatching position was fully appointed so any operator could work from any position at any given time, and once again, Russ Bassett delivered on that element of the project. “Everything is cohesive and set up the same,” shared Bacon. “This has improved efficiency by 33%.” Each new work station contains features that help operators remain comfortable, while also remaining focused and healthy. Examples of these features are :
- Each single, uninterrupted work surface gives operators room to “spread ”
- The “full sit-stand” surface height adjustment allows all operators to attain their most comfortable seated and standing surface
- The adjustable, curved monitor array positions eight monitors at an optimal viewing height and distance for each operator.
- The ultra-quiet appliances provide personal heating and cooling without disruption to the overall
- There are dimmable, gooseneck task lights, along with ambient lighting that supplements the room
- Each space is separated by clear upper acrylic panels which preserve viewing and protect operators from the spread of
Ready for Growth and Change
In addition to the improved ergonomic adjustment, the new consoles are capable of expanding technology-based service duties as needed. “The consoles meet IT needs and provide the infrastructure we need to be thinking about,” shared Bacon. Everyone recognizes that Public Safety technology and communications equipment changes frequently, and the CCES consoles can accommodate change in multiple ways :
- The “Technology Wall” has available capacity for more
- Tech Pods provide additional under-surface storage
- An expansive workspace and side extensions provide ample room for primary work tools and ancillary Plus, there is still available real estate should additional desktop equipment become a requirement.
- The monitor array holds eight (8) monitors for each work station (three more than the previous design). With this design, operators have room to spread visual information out and there is room to dedicate screens to new technology applications, as
- The use of slatwall segments atop side extensions provide usable vertical mounting for Status Light, small format CPUs and additional work
Overall, Bacon summarizes the experience this way:
“Russ Bassett listens. They shot straight. They created a professional partnership. They looked at how things fit and were confident they could make it work. And you can’t beat the 10-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Everything about the Russ Bassett experience was over and above what other vendors could provide.”
Christian County – Photo Taken During Equipment Installation
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