Technology

Communications Center
Early Warning System
Hot Printers
In-car video camera
Mobile Data
Emergency Call Boxes

Radio Systems
Siren Activated Traffic Signals
This Website
City Wide Network
Channel 19
Saving Lives With Technology

The city has a Wide Area Network (WAN) linking together the city's departments in five buildings. Through the WAN the administrative and financial offices, fire and police departments, library and public works departments are all able to share information. Each city employee's PC can communicate with others on the WAN, and can also link to sites outside the network.

All office automation software is standardized, thus allowing for easier data sharing across applications and between users. Electronic mail is essential for the daily operation within the city offices. Employees are able to communicate quickly with each other. The system allows for the transfer of documents and other routine information inside our organization as well as with anyone in the world through Internet e-mail.  You may send general e-mail to the city at info@brentwood-tn.org. 

Each of the City Commissioners have a personal computer installed in their home.  This provides citizens another method to contact their elected officials.

Siren Activated Traffic Signals

Almost all traffic lights within the city are equipped with what is known as a traffic preemption system. This system detects the sound of emergency equipment sirens and automatically changes the traffic signal to red on all sides except the side from which the equipment is approaching. The light on this side is turned green.  After a predetermined time, the light returns to normal operation. By stopping all traffic prior to emergency equipment entering the intersection, a much safer situation is created for both the public and for emergency responders. Existing lights not yet equipped soon will be, as well as all future lights as they are installed.

Mobile Computing

The City has installed computers in all police and fire units allowing for direct access to our Computer Aided Dispatch system, state and federal law enforcement computer systems. For example, when a police officer makes a traffic stop, the officer will input the vehicle's license plate into the laptop and within seconds know if the vehicle has been reported stolen and if the owner of the vehicle is a wanted criminal.  The firefighters and police officers will have critical information from the CAD system such as type of incident, location, cross streets, maps to the address, building information, hazardous materials, hydrant location and information and previous incidents.  Each unit is equipped with a Global Position Satellite (GPS) receiver that allows dispatchers can see the units on a map in the communications center.

The Brentwood Fire Department has a new Vision Thermal Imaging camera. This camera takes advantage of advanced infrared technology developed by the military for wartime applications. With this technology, firefighters can see through smoke and darkness to locate trapped victims in buildings. It would also prove beneficial for nighttime searches for lost victims. The camera does not require light and relies, instead, on the temperature difference in the human body and its surroundings. In addition to locating lost and trapped victims, the camera is also capable of locating the seat of the fire in a smoke filled building. It is capable of pinpointing the room of origin of the fire from outside the building, even before smoke is visible, by the temperature difference of the building's windows. This valuable piece of equipment will be carried to all fires within the city.

The City of Brentwood Fire Department responds to a multitude of calls for medical assistance each day. In many instances, the difference between life and death or the quality of life is determined by rapid intervention of these medical professionals and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). The only effective way to treat cardiac arrest is with a defibrillator, a medical device that delivers an electrical current, or shock, through the chest to the heart. This shock—or countershock as it is sometimes called—interrupts the random electrical pulses of ventricular fibrillation and gives the heart a chance to start beating again in a normal rhythm.

In-Car Video Recording Systems

In-car video camera systems are used in the marked patrol vehicles of the Brentwood Police Department. This state-of-the-art video recording equipment benefits both the police department and the citizens of Brentwood by allowing immediate and accurate documentation of traffic stops and arrest situations. The cameras protect the officer by identifying the individual stopped and his actions. On other occasions, the recordings have brought immediate closure to both citizen’s complaints about an officer’s demeanor or tactics, and complaints of excessive force by prisoners. The video system allows for the investigating supervisors to see and hear exactly what occurred during the given situation.  The system benefits Brentwood residents by ensuring that our officers maintain a professional and polite attitude at all times. The tapes are also used by supervisors to review the actions of new officers when dealing with the public during the extensive field training program. Issues such as officer safety and demeanor, positive and negative, are easily noticed through the use of these tapes.

Channel 19

The City has been operating a government access channel on Comcast Channel 19 since November 1996. This is another opportunity for the City to keep our citizens informed on what is happening in our city government.

The emergency communications center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment allowing for peak efficiency while processing emergency calls for the police and fire departments. The radio equipment allows the dispatcher to communicate with any of the surrounding law enforcement, fire, emergency medical or emergency management departments. The Enhanced 911-telephone system allows dispatchers to immediately have the name and address of the person calling. This information is invaluable if the caller loses contact with the dispatcher. The instant playback digital recorders on the telephone and radios allows for fast retrieval of conversational information.

Hot printers located in the fire stations print critical information, such as type of incident, location, cross streets, map page, building information, hazardous materials, hydrant location and information and previous incidents prior to the firefighters responding to an incident.

This automatic telephone notification system allows for the rapid dissemination of critical information to the citizens. This computer system acts as a telephone auto-dialer to call citizens if an emergency situation arises. For example, during a water shortage, the City's high volume water customers can be called easily and immediately to advise them to implement conservation activities.

The City of Brentwood is establishing an expanded presence on the World Wide Web. It provides information to citizens about upcoming city events and other important community information and access important code information from the office or home.

Solar powered emergency call boxes are now available in Crockett Park and along the bikeway. Upon opening the call box door, a digitally stored voice recording will automatically notify the Police/Fire Dispatch Center of the location of the call. The caller is automatically and positively located instantly, "on the air." Responding personnel can quickly initiate two-way voice communication with the caller, assuring them that the right help is on the way, right now!

Radio Systems

The City of Brentwood has an extensive two-way radio system in place.  This system allows each department the ability to effectively communicate their daily operations.  The radios systems have been designed to enhance emergency and disaster operations by allowing each department to talk interact with each other.

An Early Warning System throughout the City of Brentwood. The project has involved research as to the location and number of emergency sirens needed, as well as the type of siren and activation method used. Ten locations have been selected to provide the best coverage for the warning system.  Click here to see one of them in action!

The warning system will work as follows:

• A warning receiver, which is listening to three sources, receives a tornado warning for a southern Davidson County or Northern Williamson County.

• The receiver notifies the dispatcher and the early warning system.

• The early warning system will activate the sirens.

• The early warning system will also activate preprogrammed messages and the weather warning on a City-operated radio station.

The warning devices located at Crockett Park and Granny White Park are equipped with lightning detection and play verbal messages warning of possible lightning strikes.

Please click on a department to view more information!