Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/254119
6 Law Enforcement Technology February 2014 www.officer.com PUBLIC SAFETY P ublic Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) come in as many colors and flavors as the public safety agencies and communities they serve. Most of the time when you hear about a PSAP, it's in reference to a traditional answering point, or one that serves a municipality, county or state. Existing right beside them, functioning in the same way, are non- traditionals. "Right now, non-traditional PSAPs are going to be universities, large schools, hospitals and airports," explains Elizabeth "Liz" Phillips, assistant director, University of Kansas (KU) Public Safety Office. "We are unique in many ways and in many ways we do all the same things." Even browsing the extensive list of PSAPs produced by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), it's hard to tell how many non- traditionals exist. "Probably more than we expect," says Ty Wooten, Education and PSAP Operations Director, National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Wooten has unique experience in this area as he was the director at the Indianapolis International Airport for several years. "There is an assumption they are a secondary and not a primary," he says of non-traditionals. Many times this is not the case. Protector of the Jayhawks During the turmoil of the Vietnam War, the University of Kansas, along with Kent State and UC-Berkeley, administra- tors struggled with maintaining student safety during the unrest that rocked Non-traditional Public Safety Answering Points: Where are they located and who exactly do they serve? By Michelle Perin Mini giants LET_06-10SeaAirportCities0214.indd 6 1/24/14 12:36 PM