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. In regard to the fixed location radio equipment, virtually all of the radio stations are relatively old and should be replaced as soon as possible. The need to replace those stations, in addition to their age, is also influenced by the fact that almost all of them utilize DC signalling for control and the phone line difficulties make this almost intolerable. Almost all of the transmission lines and antennas in use must be replaced at the earliest possible time period. 2.10 BACK-UP DISPATCHING While it is an infrequent occurrence, many dispatch centers in use in the United States and Canada have been forced to have personnel abandon the dispatch center for some period of time. Reasons for abandonment are varied and include such things as a gas leak in a building, damage due to storms, bomb threats and the like. While infrequent, this is a potential occurrence for the Anoka County Central Communications - 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. If this occurs, it is absolutely essential that there be some other place to which incoming 9-1-1 calls may be directed by Qwest to be answered. It is also absolutely essential that the location to which the 9-1-1 calls may be diverted also have at least minimal radio communications capabilities. Because the probability of the need to use this alternate dispatch facility is very low, it is difficult to justify the expenditure of major amounts of money to provide the minimally necessary back- up radio facilities. It would be possible, however, to have some multi-line telephone sets that could receive the 9-1-1 calls even though there might not be the Automatic Number Identification (ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALl) equipment included. With a group of multi-line telephone sets and a group of operators, 9-1-1 calls can be received and information can be obtained from the caller so that alerting of personnel to respond can occur. If remote radio facilities include mobile relay or repeater stations, then inexpensive RF control stations could be used to intercommunicate between this back-up dispatch facilities and personnel in vehicles in the field. It would be a marginal performance system but adequate to handle the more serious incidents that occur. It is recommended that Anoka County plan, design and implement an alternate minimal back-up dispatch facility as soon as possible regardless of the type of radio system that is selected for use over the long-term. Ronald Vegemast Engineering, inc. -20- Report: Anoka County