Evans Consoles Blog

When a Control Room Becomes an Operational Liability Most control rooms do not fail in one dramatic moment. Rather, they decline slowly. A display goes offline. A replacement part takes weeks to source. Operators create another workaround. Maintenance costs rise. Cybersecurity teams flag an unsupported system. None of these issues seems serious enough on its own to force an upgrade.

A real-time crime center is only as effective as the room that supports it. Real-Time Crime Centers, or RTCCs, are often defined by their technology. But their success depends just as much on how the space is designed and used. The National Institute of Justice describes RTCCs as centralized hubs for real-time monitoring, intelligence analysis, and investigative support. It also makes an important point: an RTCC is not just a technology purchase. Its effectiveness depends on the full operating environment, including workflow, staffing, training, data quality, integration, and governance. Research supports that idea. Studies of Chicago’s RTCC model found measurable improvements, including: 5% increase in violent crime clearance 12% increase in property crime clearance 11% increase overall So where should planning start? Not with screens.

911 Dispatch Center Layout - What Is It and Why Do You Need It? When we think about 911 dispatch centers, we often imagine high-stress environments. But behind the scenes, there's a planned layout ensuring that dispatchers can work efficiently. A 911 dispatch center layout isn't just a floor plan — it's a critical blueprint that ensures smooth operations, quick response times, and the well-being of dispatchers. So, why is this layout so crucial? It's simple: the right design can mean the difference between life and death.

As a public safety manager or supervisor, revamping an existing Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or building one from scratch can be daunting. With the increasing threats, from natural disasters to cyber-attacks, we understand that having a resilient and well-designed EOC is more important than ever.

The buzz around Next Generation 911 (NG911) has been around for a while; it's a call to enhance our ability to respond to emergencies with precision and speed. But why NG911 isn’t just an option but a necessity for our operations?

The tragedy in Uvalde, Texas devastated this small, rural community in southwest Texas. The country mourned with Uvalde, and both local companies and the Public Safety industry at large stepped up in a big way for the first responders. The Uvalde Communications Center received a complete overhaul which was provided by industry partners and Texas 911 centers statewide. Two of those extraordinary and empathic people in the industry work with us here at Evans. Scott Mathews, a long-term Texas resident who frequently visits the Uvalde region, and Megan Koehler a Market Manager in Public Safety were among those motivated to help. Scott and Megan agreed there was a need for new consoles to help support the operators after everything they went through. The upgrades will help in the immediate term and for future operations.

A heartfelt thank you from Evans to all the Headset Heroes around the world for your hard work and dedication. Your tireless work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We know what makes a great dispatcher and how difficult it can be, so we want you to know that Evans is here to support you! Read on to learn how you can nominate a hero.

International Control Room Week is October 24 - 30, and it is the perfect time of year to thank all operators who work in mission-critical operations around the world. Thank you to all operators for your hard work and dedication. Your tireless work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed. Here at Evans, we appreciate the fact that many hard-working operators make a true difference in public safety!

APCO Canada is excited to welcome you back for its first in-person event in Whistler, BC. With 4 days of educational keynotes, guest speakers, and networking opportunities, it will be a great show to attend for public safety professionals across the country. Whistler offers much to do in its beautiful location for all types of people. Curious about what you can do while visiting the area and attending APCO Canada? Discover more about Whistler and some ideas you may want to consider planning with other public safety professionals or colleagues.

Public Safety projects (or any major control room upgrades) usually only come around every 20-30 years. They are a huge investment, especially if you’re looking at a new building, brownfield renovation, consolidation or regionalization. It can easily become overwhelming when considering all the factors and players that need to be involved. With over 40 years of experience in mission-critical environments, Evans has found that as subject matter experts in our field, we needed to evolve our offerings to include more full-scale project solutions, not just the place you sit. Consider Evans full consulting, architectural, and construction services for your next project...and here’s why!

When should you start to plan upgrades to your emergency communications center? The short answer is most likely to start now! As with any project, it's never too early to begin laying the groundwork for a successful 911 project. If anything, you will be ahead of the game and have more time to involve your 911 personnel who are not only your end-user but your biggest champions for pushing the project forward.

Evans had the privilege over the summer to attend Navigator, NENA, and APCO and wow, what a turnout! This year marked a unique situation as it was the first time we were able to attend tradeshows in over eighteen months!