Mission Critical Facility Planning and Implementation Management

Our extensive experience in mission critical facilities includes call centers, 911 centers, command centers, Joint operations centers and emergency operation centers. The requirements of these facilities go beyond the normal operations and administrative centers. These facilities must be operational on a 24X7 basis and, in cases such as the 911 center, never shut down. Successful implementation and operations of these facilities is dependant on the following considerations:

Because of the high With our experience in the design and implementation of the centers, we are familiar with the issues associated with each of these areas. We also continue to research and investigate the latest solutions and technologies being applied. With this basis we are able to utilize these experiences and knowledge in these functions to leverage a best practice solution tuned to fit the particular needs of the situation. Some specific areas where we have provided support for mission critical facilities include:

Charles E. Lightner Public Safety Center

Provide technology design support for the $200M Charles E. Lightner Public Safety Center being built in downtown Raleigh. This facility will house the Raleigh Police Administration staff, Fire Administration Staff, the IT group, including the data center, the 911 Emergency Communications Center, the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Traffic Management Center. This will make this location a hub for technology use within the City. The resultant implications dictate a state-of-the-art design to address the extensive technology requirements, including network and Audio Visual components to be located in this location. The Costas Group, Inc. was also requested to help the City’s IT department develop a City-wide network design to improve communications links between the many city facilities throughout the area. The report will lay out a SONET solution that will be the backbone for future connectivity, achieving greater data speeds and reducing costs significantly.

Project Highlights:

The Costas Group, Inc. designed and integrated the Command and Communications Center for the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The Synchronized Operations Command Complex (SOCC) is a jointly staffed facility By MPD, U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The SOCC is composed of several components including the Joint Operations and Command Center (JOCC), The Command Information Center and the Intelligence Operations Center. Each of these SOCC elements was designed utilizing specific requirements developed by The Costas Group, Inc.. The SOCC Project was completed September 10, 2001.

The SOCC is used by MPD for special events such as the presidential inauguration, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) demonstrations and others as well as for a 24x7 operation coordinating police activities across the District and with federal and other regional local law enforcement agencies. The SOCC was fully activated and became the focus of Federal and local law enforcement organizations during and immediately after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The facility integrates video feed coming from video camera positions and mobile units throughout the District. In addition, the SOCC serves as a regional law enforcement operations center for large scale events and specific law enforcement operations. The facility provides a single operational focus to law enforcement activities in the region to include state, local and federal agencies.

The Costas Group, Inc. designed and program managed the video surveillance system for the Washington, DC SOCC. The Video System allows the MPD and other law enforcement organizations enhanced Command and Control options during major events such as the recent demonstrations in Washington regarding the International Monetary Fund and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The System is able to integrate over 100 video feeds into the SOCC. We also developed the draft policy and procedures documentation for managing the system. Video inputs include:

  • Unmanned camera, digital IP transmission protocol, wireless transmitted 802.11b
  • Manned cameras (ENG quality), analog transmission, wireless
  • Helicopter mounted, analog transmission, wireless microwave
  • Use of inputs provided by other entities, DC Dept of Transportation, the DC Area Subway provider (Metro), the US Capitol, DC Public school system and DC Building security cameras.

This project began with a requirements analysis of what agencies would use the facility. The Costas Group, Inc. then identified the technical and operational requirements and developed an implementation plan for the Command Center. Our staff utilized strong project management and monitoring tools to manage contracted vendors and aggressive schedule for delivery. The project management role included vendor management to include included technology, video, construction and telephony vendors. Data, and video LAN/WAN design and implementation were a significant component of the project, including interfaces, with existing networks and facilities such as FBI Headquarters.

The command center has been used extensively over the past several years and enjoys a reputation as one of the most advanced of its kind. It has enjoyed visitors from all over the US and the world. It is used mostly for joint operations, served by multiple jurisdictions.

The system has been used extensively by MPD and other federal jurisdictions in the DC area.

Recent uses include:

  • IMF/World Bank meetings
  • State of the Union Addresses,
  • Antiwar and other large protest activities.
  • Readiness when the national or local threat level is above “Elevated”.

One of the key tasks was to provide for secure access to agency legacy and new information and communications systems.

The key legacy systems integrated into the center include those from:

  • Public Safety
  • US Secret Service
  • Metropolitan Police Department
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • US Marshall’s Service
  • US Capitol Police
  • US Park Police
  • Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority

Military

  • Washington, DC Army National Guard
  • Department of Defense

Transportation

  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • State of Maryland Transportation Department
  • Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation
  • District of Columbia Department of Transportation

Utilities

  • Water and Sewer Authority
  • Electric and Natural Gas Firms

Mission Critical Facilities - Clients

  • Washington D.C.
  • New York City
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Fairfax VA
  • Jordan
  • Bulgaria