Councilman Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. announced a citywide plan of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunication (DoITT) to establish quick wireless communication among and within its agencies. The plan, known as NYCWIN, is being tested and will allow the Police Department, Fire Department, Corrections Department, Health and Mental Hygiene, and Administration of Children's Services to communicate faster during an emergency or reported incident.
NYCWIN will allow the police department to access real time photo, warrant and license plate databases for the identification of suspects in criminal investigations at the scene. The fire department will establish connectivity between their Operation Center and responders in the field through full motion video providing access to operating procedures, maps and other geographic information.
Currently, city agencies have extremely limited capabilities to obtain instant access to information while a situation is occurring or immediately share vital information between agencies during an emergency. The plan also calls for linkages with the United States Department of Homeland Security. According to DoITT, the system should be completed city-wide by January 1, 2009.
