Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have completed technology upgrades using local funding as well as significant support from the 2011 State 911 Support and Incentive Grant.

This fiscal year we focused mainly on EMS computing and wireless networking for the entire patrol and EMS fleet.  All of our mobile units maintain 24/7 connectivity to critical local and state applications as well as internet access.  Officers and Paramedics have all the information they need to perform their duties in their ambulance or patrol car. EMS has been outfitted with the latest rugged computers produced by General Dynamics.  These computers are designed to operate in less than ideal conditions and meet military specifications for durability.

Additional upgrades were also completed to ensure that our communications center has enough battery power to maintain systems in the event of a power failure.  A refresh of some of the computers in communications is also in progress.

In the next few months the Police Department will receive an upgraded “Live Scan” finger print system.  This system is funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety.  The new system will increase the department’s ability to search fingerprints against local, state and federal databases using the most current technology available.

Town/department funded projects also completed this year include some key server upgrades and in-house completion of this website using open source software.  Upgrades to a new security software package as part of a town-wide project was accomplished in the Spring.

The Police Department would also like to thank the Billerica Schools Technology Department for its assistance during our recent server upgrades.  This work saved the town thousands in vendor costs and local training.