For Saratoga: A New Mobile Command Vehicle to Enhance County’s Emergency Response Efforts
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials last week unveiled a Mobile Command Vehicle featuring state-of-the-art technology that they said provides First Responders a unified incident command space and allows for more effective and efficient coordination of response efforts in the field.
“During an emergency response incident, having effective, efficient command and communications capabilities is critical for public safety and successful response efforts,” Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo said, in a statement. “This new Mobile Command Vehicle will provide us the flexibility to bring the full capabilities of the Sheriff’s Office anywhere in the County, allowing us to engage in operations that might otherwise be impossible.”
The MCV will serve as an on-scene command post, allowing for surveillance, communications support, and mobile dispatching during incidents requiring long term deployment of emergency resources. These may include natural or man-made disasters, missing persons searches, hazmat responses, and similar incidents. The vehicle can also be used for special security events, emergency service exercises, and community outreach events.
The vehicle can be deployed anywhere in the county and is equipped with everything emergency management staff need to do their jobs effectively from the field.
The MCV was paid for by a $250,000 grant facilitated by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. Saratoga County was provided a State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) grant from the NYS Dormitory Authority for the specific purpose in purchasing a new Mobile Command Vehicle. In 2021, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to purchase this 2022 Mercedes Mobile Command Vehicle for $241,815. The remainder of the grant was used to outfit the MCV to make it fully operational.
The MCV’s High Power User Equipment (HPUE) provides a range of features that staff can use to increase communications coverage, improve data speed, and enhance security during an emergency.
Additional features include: Radio with the ability to talk on marine, aircraft, on primary and back-up talk groups, and on national inter-op channels; Three computer positions outfitted with video conferencing and access to computer-aided dispatch; Ability to collect and share real-time video and photograph information from a scene; Mast-mounted camera allowing for situational awareness.