U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Vehicle Enhances Emergency Response

NCJ Number
241853
Author(s)
Michele Coppola
Date Published
April 2013
Length
2 pages
Annotation
A specially designed vehicle used as a mobile command-and-control center is providing a Nevada sheriff's office and the surrounding region with vital communications and intelligence-gathering capability at the scene of an emergency.
Abstract

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) Critical Incident Response Vehicle (CIRV) acts as a mobile analytics and intelligence-gathering center, transporting communications equipment and staff from the WCSO's Regional Analysis Center to the field in order to coordinate emergency responses. Developed with grants totaling $573,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the vehicle entered service in 2012. There are workstations for four analysts in the rear of the vehicle. They have access to a variety of analytical and crime-related computer programs. A satellite enables connection and communications with first responders in the field. There are masts with a camera that enables analysts to obtain information via live video, along with a downlink to download video recorded by a helicopter. A radio regional interoperability system is accessible for enhanced communications ability. The vehicle also has the ability to print large maps and charts. A four-channel digital video recorder system records various cameras on and around the vehicle. An outside display monitor and presentation area can accommodate a larger group. In addition, the vehicle houses touchscreen LED televisions and a conference room. The vehicle can be used by multiple law enforcement and emergency-response agencies in the entire Northern Nevada area.