I must start off by saying that I am extremely proud to be a part of such an amazing community within the public safety industry. I was inspired to write this blog by those I feel who are making a difference within the 911 community. Specifically, those who are closest to me are my friends behind Operation 10-8, 911 Training Institute, Within the Trenches, and Kim Turner, LLC.

Congrats! You have been tasked with designing a telemetry room. Telemetry is an up-and-coming concept at major hospitals throughout the nation. As thrilled as you probably are to be on the side of innovation, it’s normal to have some questions. After all, where do you start? Who should you contact? Don’t worry; this blog is here to help!

Did you know that most dispatch furniture desks you purchase should come with a collision detection system? This feature is integral to lengthening the life of your furniture while ensuring your dispatchers and equipment stay safe. Ask your furniture manufacturer, if your desks have collision detection. It shouldn't be a costly add-on. In most recent models, the collision detection is built into the lift columns that raise and lower the desks. This ensures greater detection and sensitivity toward collisions with objects.

Ever feel like you are stuck in a scene from The Twilight Zone or Jurassic Park while working a 12-hour shift? Everything is evolving and changing around you, yet somehow you are still stuck behind this massive, uncomfortable, and archaic platform called a control room console.

You’ve heard a lot lately about Xybix's new Eagle Line of Dispatch Consoles, but what exactly is the “Eagle Difference”? Let us explain...

What’s the Eagle Difference?

Can you picture that black edge that practically EVERY piece of industrial furniture you’ve seen since you were in grade school has? You know, the stuff that looks like it belongs on a bumper car?

Well, it’s gone. G-O-N-E! Gone with the wind! You get the picture.

I talk with many public safety professionals at tradeshows, and after showing them how beautiful our new consoles are, they often joke that they don’t deserve nice stuff. I’m not sure why they’d think something like that. Do ugly consoles last longer than nice ones? Why do they feel they aren’t worth the quality option?

Whether you’re planning a new control room or revamping your current one, you understandably want the end result to work well for your people. In fact, you probably want them to love it. The goal is obvious, but how do you make sure you get there?

A question we get a lot – is where to start if I need a new a new space, a new building or a new 911 Center? I’d like to steer you to a great starting place.

The Seminar by the Center for Public Safety, October 4-5th in Orlando, FL. The Center for Public Safety, Inc. (CPS) is an organization dedicated to research, planning, and assisting first responders, including law enforcement, fire / rescue, emergency managers and dispatch services in the process of obtaining new or expanded facilities. During this seminar, they will walk you through items such as: which political stings to pull, how to get funding, what your building needs to look like, how many square feet you'll need as well as small things, like how many parking places you'll need. Basically, they will prepare you with all the information you’ll need for your new space.

The way we buy...well just about anything, has changed. With websites offering quick service and simple shopping like Amazon, grocery delivery services like “Click-List” and of course there is Uber, there is no wonder why we've changed. We have all changed how we shop, buy and research products. Hello instant gratification! But what about those big purchases, a new car, a home or a vacation? Well, that part hasn’t changed much and neither has shopping for dispatch furniture.

Time and time again, we hear people say, “Well, we may be looking to upgrade our console furniture, but we might be moving into a new building. We will just hold off for now.” Does this sound familiar to you?