Cape Coral Police, Firefighters Welcome New Mobile Unit
Cape Coral, Fla., police now have use of a mobile command center that provides communication between various agencies. Cape Coral police Chief Dan Alexander noted that the terrorist strike on Sept. 11 highlighted the need to improve communication capabilities between different agencies.
Alexander said the mobile command center will enhance the response of police and firefighters to emergency calls. “This vehicle allows us to deliver incident command to any scene anywhere,” he explained. “Hurricanes come to mind because of our recent history. But it could be used in a barricade or hostage situation.”
The vehicle is equipped with six computer workstations. Cape Coral city funds paid for $465,000 of the $565,000 cost of acquiring the vehicle, while a Florida Department of Law Enforcement grant covered the remainder.
The vehicle’s other features include a weather station, three satellite television receivers, eight flat-screen LCD monitors, and a kitchen area. As many as 30 police officers or firefighters can be housed in the unit at one time.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Florida News-Press (05/05/06) P. 3B; Wermers, Jason .
