The search for a missing person is a race against time, where every second and every piece of information is critical. The Lexington Real-Time Experience Center has transformed its approach to these high-stakes situations by fully leveraging the advanced capabilities of CommandCentral Aware. By focusing on its robust radio tracking and sophisticated mapping features, the Lexington Center enhances its tactical efficiency during a missing person search.
Setting the Stage: A Central Hub for Real-Time Operations
At the heart of the Center’s enhanced response is a strategic setup that maximizes CommandCentral Aware’s potential. When a missing person report comes in, the Center’s tactical dispatchers turn to CommandCentral Aware. This serves as their central hub, offering a comprehensive overview of all available resources and the unfolding situation.
One of the first steps for the operator is to quickly find the units already dispatched to the search. A quick filter of the event monitor instantly displays only assigned units on the map. A search for a specific unit then centers the unit’s location on the map. This immediate visual focus helps the operator to quickly begin providing virtual tactical support.
Tactical Mapping: Defining and Sharing the Search Area in Real Time
Effective coordination is paramount in a missing person search, and CommandCentral Aware’s advanced mapping capabilities are a game-changer for real-time coordination. The Center utilizes the Markup tactical tools to define a precise search area as soon as the initial information is gathered. A new markup is added and the designated search zone is drawn directly onto the map.
The power of this feature lies in its real-time sharing. As soon as the dispatcher draws these search areas, any other units logged into CommandCentral Aware will instantly see the same search area. This means that officers in the field, accessing CommandCentral Aware on their laptops or tablets, have immediate visual access to the search parameters. Now everyone is working within the same defined operational boundaries, minimizing redundant efforts and maximizing coverage.
Radio GPS Location: Unprecedented Situational Awareness
The Center’s tactical efficiency also uses CommandCentral Aware’s robust radio GPS location capabilities. Once a unit is dispatched, and the search begins, the dispatcher can enable tracking of that specific unit. This provides a live, dynamic feed of the officer’s movements on the map.
Consider a scenario where a field unit reports finding a piece of evidence, like a black running shoe matching the missing person’s description. With tracking enabled, the dispatcher can visually follow the officer’s path to the discovery location. This real-time visibility allows the command post to maintain an acute awareness of the evolving situation. If the officer reports needing to change their direction of travel based on a discovery, the dispatcher can observe this shift on the map, providing immediate support or adjusting other units as needed.
Furthermore, the integration extends beyond just location. When the officer activates an emergency button, the system can instantly pull up not only their radio and body-worn camera feed but also surrounding camera views. This comprehensive visual intelligence provides an unprecedented level of situational awareness, allowing the Center to quickly assess the scene and coordinate further response, such as dispatching EMS.
Watch a demonstration video from the Lexington Center of using CommandCentral Aware for a missing person search:
A Model for Tactical Efficiency
The Lexington Center’s experience demonstrates how CommandCentral Aware’s radio tracking and advanced mapping capabilities are more than just features – they are foundational tools for effective missing person searches. By seamlessly integrating real-time officer location, collaborative mapping and dynamic information sharing, the Center enhances its tactical efficiency in critical incidents. For agencies looking to optimize their response capabilities, the Center’s utilization of CommandCentral Aware offers a blueprint.
Learn more about CommandCentral Aware here or log in to CommandCentral Aware here.
