‘When seconds count’: Maryland’s statewide emergency medical services communications system to benefit from major technology upgrade
Overland Contracting, Inc., to oversee project that will retire legacy technologies and improve network utilization to help emergency responders communicate
One of the United States’ most complex communications systems for connecting pre-hospital care emergency responders will receive a major upgrade by Overland Contracting, Inc. (OCI), a Black & Veatch Company. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) chose OCI to serve as the systems integrator and to oversee the design and implementation of the upgrade of its communications system, which is approaching the end of its anticipated lifespan.
Integrated by OCI and designed by Black & Veatch, a 103-year-old engineering company and a market leader in the design and deployment of state-of-the-art emergency response networks, the upgraded system will employ a future-ready, all-digital internet protocol (IP) solution that will deliver a more robust and resilient communications system.
The current MIEMSS communications system consists of a two-way analog radio system connected by microwave, fiber, and/or landline systems that link emergency medical services providers, ambulance, paramedic vehicles, Maryland State Police medevac helicopters and hospitals, emergency departments, trauma and other specialty centers. The system’s legacy backbone has constrained its growth and its ability to support future data applications and emerging technologies.
“We design our mission-critical networks with layers of redundancy and resiliency, all focused on the critical service provided by first responders,” said Preethi Pillaipakkam, Business Director of Connected Communities, within Black & Veatch’s Telecom business. “The upgraded MIEMSS system will be a significant leap with respect to technology, redundancy and resiliency, increasing safety for the citizens and first responders of Maryland.”
OCI will oversee a team of the following partners: the engineering design services are provided by Black & Veatch; the backhaul solution is provided by Infinity Technology Solutions, a reseller of Nokia products; voting and console solutions are provided by InterTalk Critical Information Systems; and the IP networking solution is provided by DiSys Solutions, a reseller of Cisco products. Commdex Consulting, Abis and Company, and ProCom Corporation will provide local installation, quality assurance and quality control support services.
Editor’s note:
Black & Veatch has Maryland offices in Gaithersburg and Columbia, where the company employs more than 50 professionals. The company’s strong presence in the state includes work on more than 400 public safety, telecommunications, water and power projects.
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