The colorful display in the top of the picture is our "calls in queue" screen. Presently,
there are NO 9-1-1 calls, administrative calls or freeway call-box calls waiting to be answered.
(The display doesn't indicate how many phone calls are actively being handled.)
The Center also has up to four "service desk" or call-taker positions. (It's pretty
cramped in there if we've got four COIIs on phones in addition to the two at the radio consoles.)
The radio consoles are facing away from the call-taker positions. We have to get up and hand the cards to the
two radios - no nifty little track to route them. Most of the COIIs add "extensions" to their headset cords so they
can get up and move around the room. One of the "advantages" of not having a CAD system is the increased mobility of
the staff. (Well, I tell 'em it's a benefit, when they complain about having to get up to hand something to one
of their partners....)
We have a third radio console, to use as a back-up (when someone's on a break or we need to move units to an
alternate channel for isolated communications separate from routine radio traffic) or for training purposes.
The picture to the left was taken by Evan Platt.
He took some professional photos late one night while on a "sit-along," and I had 'em scanned
to post here. This is the whole Radio Room, on a "graveyard shift." (That shift doesn't usually have four on duty,
but it was busy that night and I'm picking up some of the calls.)
Notice the doorway next to the clipboards against the far wall? That leads to our small
kitchen area and rest-room. Off that "foyer" and to the left, is the
Communications Supervisors' office, with a window looking out into the Radio Room.