VESTA(R) 9-1-1 Call Handling Solution Selected by North Dakota PSAPs to Deliver Next Generation 9-1-1 Technology

TEMECULA, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 17, 2016) -  Eleven out of twenty-two North Dakota's public safety answering points (PSAPs) have selected Airbus DS Communications', an entity of Airbus Defense and Space, VESTA^® 9-1-1 call handling solution. Now, these PSAPs are ready to transition to Next Generation technology and the new age of public safety.

The PSAPs on the VESTA 9-1-1 system collectively coordinated the contract through the North Dakota Information Technology Department, which built the network for the agencies and organized the effort. Through this unique collaboration, the North Dakota PSAPs not only achieved a significant cost savings by purchasing together, but also deployed a geodiverse regional system ensuring redundancy and eliminating a single point of failure so no calls are lost.

"As new technologies continue to emerge, many of our public safety agencies across the state were looking to upgrade to a new call-handling system that would serve their residents' needs now and into the future," said Duane Schell, Director of Network Services Division, North Dakota Information Technology Department. "By investing in the VESTA 9-1-1 system these agencies are now equipped with a network and a solution that is redundant, reliable and next-generation ready."

"We are honored to provide our latest call-handling solution to the PSAPs across the state of North Dakota," said Bob Freinberg CEO of Airbus DS Communications. "These installations demonstrate the flexibility of the VESTA 9-1-1 solution and our commitment to the North Dakota Information Technology Department. The PSAPs in North Dakota can count on the home of VESTA^® to take them safely and reliably into the future."

The Central Dakota Communications Center (CenCom), which serves the City of Bismarck, the City of Mandan and Burleigh County, was the first to join the regional network.

"It was critical for our agency to adopt a geo-redundant solution that would allow communication to continue seamlessly for our residents even if we are undergoing major maintenance or an outage," said Michael Dannenfelzer, Communications Director, CenCom. "With the VESTA 9-1-1 solution, we are confident we can continue to deliver dependable and responsive communication to our residents, while also having the ability to adapt to the latest trends in technology such as text-to-9-1-1 in the future."

Along with CenCom, Stark County, Ward County, Bottineau/Renville County, Pierce County, Cavalier County and Rolette County have cutover to the new system. Mountrail County, State Radio and Lake Region 911 Center are expected to cutover by Q1 2017.

Independent Emergency Services (IES) is the service provider for these North Dakota PSAPs.

"IES is pleased to partner with Airbus DS Communications and the North Dakota Information Technology Department to provide this next generation ready system to the state of North Dakota," said Cliff Woodbury, IES manager. "We look forward to furthering our growth throughout this region and advancing public safety communications in their communities."

For more information on Airbus DS Communications and its portfolio of public safety solutions, visit www.airbus-dscomm.com. 

Airbus Defense and Space
Airbus Defense and Space, a division of Airbus Group, is Europe's number one defense and space enterprise and the second largest space business worldwide. Its activities include space, military aircraft and related systems and services. It employs more than 38,000 people and in 2015 generated revenues of over 13 billion Euros.

Airbus DS Communications, Inc., an Airbus Defense and Space Inc. company, is a global leader and trusted source for mission-critical communications technologies. The VESTA® product suite provides Next Generation 9-1-1 call handling systems, land mobile radio solutions and emergency notification applications, creating smarter ways to keep all our communities safe.