Alarms, Technology and Teamwork

Bill who lives in Brighton Township emailed a question regarding home security alarm systems. Bill lives in Brighton Township but has a Milford mailing address and asks who does he have the alarm company call; Milford Police, Livingston County Sheriff or Michigan State Police?

The answer is none of the above.  Since Bill lives in Brighton Township in Livingston County, a Trooper or Livingston County Deputy would respond to his residence for any calls for service, including alarms, but Bill would not call the police departments directly.

Livingston County has one dispatch center that serves all public safety agencies; police, fire and EMS. So when you call 911 in Livingston County for a fire, a burglary or a medical emergency, you talk to dispatchers at Livingston County Central Dispatch (LCCD).

I talked with Mimi Yenshaw, Dispatch Supervisor, for LCCD regarding the protocol for alarm calls. Mimi advised when homeowners or businesses install an alarm system which will, when activated, call an emergency dispatch center for a response, the telephone number the alarm company should use is 517-546-9111 for any alarm in Livingston County. This telephone number rings directly into Livingston County Central Dispatch. 

Because Livingston County has one dispatch center for all public safety calls including emergency response for crimes, fire emergencies or for medical emergencies, it is a much more efficient use of public safety resources and information. The efficient use of resources and information during an emergency can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful outcome. 

For example, a person has installed an alarm system which allows them to call for a medical emergency. In Livingston County the call would come into the LCCD. The dispatcher would dispatch the appropriate medical response which would include EMS and possibly the fire department.  But the dispatcher would also advise the police where the medical emergency is located.  A police officer may be closer and can begin first-aid until more advanced medical help can arrive. 

A couple of  added bonuses in Livingston County is all police, fire and EMS departments are on the Michigan Public Safety Communication System (MPSCS) and which means every department can talk to each other on the radio. The second is all Livingston County public safety departments also utilize the same Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system which allows for another form of information sharing and is a great aid in quicker response times to calls for service. 

The most advanced radios, computers and telephones won’t do anyone a bit of good without good personnel to operate them. Livingston County residents are admirably served by the staff and dispatchers at the Livingston County Central Dispatch center. 

I know Bill just asked about whom to call for an alarm at his home. But you should realize all these systems and personnel are utilized for almost every call for assistance, whether it is an emergency or not. 

A lot can be accomplished if everyone checks their ego at the door and remembers there is no “I” in team.

If you have a question or comment, please email it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or send it to: Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114.