The
Systems Communications Center (SYSCOM) receives and processes requests for medevac,
search and rescue, law enforcement, homeland security and disaster assessment helicopter
services.
The Maryland
State Police Aviation Command Operations Control Center (OCC) operates within
SYSCOM and is managed by a Duty Officer (DO). The DO is responsible for dispatching
the proper aviation assets for each mission, which may include allied law
enforcement and commercial helicopters when appropriate. The DO is responsible
for mission coordination, fleet management, command staff notification,
continuous weather monitoring, consulting with pilots during questionable weather
and coordination of waivers for restricted airspace. The DO also ensures the safety of the crews
through constant communication and flight following (moving maps that display the
locations of all helicopters).
The DO works in
conjunction with Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems
(MIEMSS) staff within SYSCOM. The
teamwork between the DO and MIEMSS staff ensures one of the fastest call intake
and dispatch times in the industry. This
teamwork reaches beyond just the call intake, as all personnel within SYCOM
utilize the Crew Resource Management concept of “see something, say something.” This allows the team to continuously monitor each
leg of the mission, weather, communication and flight following. Their goal is to maintain one of the safest public
safety aviation programs in the country.
Due to the critical nature of this work, we request that the public does not try to contact SYCOM directly. All inquiries related to SYSCOM may be directed to Aviation Command Headquarters at 410-238-5800.
