Enhancing 911 Systems A Usability Test Plan

This study is the development of a usability test plan for implementation of an Enhanced 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system by emergency response dispatch centers. Enhanced 911 system technologies will allow emergency response personnel to locate cellular 911 callers in distress by pinpointing the latitude and longitude of their location, and mapping it through the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS). This usability test plan has been developed through research within a dispatch center to ensure that the dispatchers, who receive the 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate emergency response personnel, are receptive to the new technology, and the new interface with the GIS capability does not impede their ability to assistance callers. Through this usability test plan the dispatchers will be involved in the entire process to integrate an additional window into the CAD screen that contains a GIS map to optimize the usability of the emergency response system. After analysis of the usability test results the emergency response dispatch center personnel will be able to develop methods to enhance the operational efficiency of the emergency response dispatch system allowing for a seamless integration of the new Enhanced 911 CAD/GIS system components.