“ESChat is a Push-to-Talk (PTT) service that operates on Smart Phones, Feature Phones and IoT Devices. ESChat’s PTT technology provides a ‘radio like’ experience, providing encrypted communication between individuals, or groups,” according to eschat.com. It will be used to communicate between 911 dispatchers and first responders, but may be limited by Pacific County’s cellular “dead zones.” (This company-provided example shows service in a California location.)

SOUTH BEND — It is full steam ahead at the Pacific County 911 Dispatch Center (PacCom) under Interim Director Cait Ochoa. She spent most of last week meeting with local agencies to hear what they would like to see in PacCom’s new direction.

The PacCom board held its first meeting with her as director on Friday, July 12. It was fast-moving and lasted just over 10 minutes. The board made selections for two committees: a budget committee and a bylaws work group.

The budget committee will consist of Pacific County General Administration Chief Administrative Officer Paul Plakinger, Long Beach City Administrator David Glasson and Pacific County Sheriff Daniel Garcia.

The bylaws workgroup will comprise of Fire District No. 8 Commissioner Chuck Spoor, who is a former police officer for Raymond, as well as Glasson and Garcia.

In addition to selecting committee members, the board also handled new business regarding an ESChat system. The system operates an app on officers’ and responders’ phones, allowing an additional method of contact. However, it has limits.

“ESChat will be good for within the city but not good for all of the other dead spots throughout the rest of the county,” Garcia said. “The normal radios will be much relied on.”

Ochoa’s conversations with agencies led to the discussion about ESChat. The system offers significant advantages in near-instant contact with units.

“It’s basically a form of radio communications that you can use from your phone,” Ochoa said. “The responders will be able to answer and speak to us without having to use their portables. We can also use it to speak to other agencies.”

“It’s not going to be very reliable in the dead zones, as the sheriff said, but it’s going to be good to have quick communications with our surrounding agencies,” Ochoa added.