November 17, 2000

Keeping a hospital as large as the MGH safe is no small task. With a new cutting-edge communications center, however, the MGH Police and Security Department now has an even more efficient technological system at their disposal to help keep the MGH community safe.

Named the Chevrette Police and Security Communications Center after 30-year Police and Security employee Richard (Dick) Chevrette, the new facility was dedicated Nov. 2 and was operational Nov. 3.

"A new dispatch and communications center has been needed for years, and everyone in Police and Security has waited patiently," says Bonnie Michelman, director of Police and Security. "This will allow us better tracking, monitoring and response to protect the MGH community in improved and modern ways."

Located in the Gray Basement, the Chevrette Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to any kind of hospital emergency. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as television monitors, digital recorders, cameras, alarms and security systems. An advanced radio system allows extended communications for Police and Security staff throughout the institution as well as directly to Boston and state police. Police and Security officers can be dispatched immediately and monitored for any type of assistance or emergency back-up provided to any employee, patient or visitor. The radio system also allows Police and Security staff to communicate with both state and federal authorities.

The emergency elevator intercom system also is part of the new technology complex. The intercoms, which are located in every elevator, allow Police and Security staff to monitor and converse with anyone in an emergency situation inside the elevators.

Digital closed circuit cameras provide high-quality images and digital recorders, which replace VCRs, allow continuous recording with the fastest search capabilities available. With this equipment, digital images can be downloaded and sent electronically to law enforcement authorities, when necessary.

According to Chevrette, the existing communications center receives almost 210,000 service calls annually, monitors 100 cameras, maintains 800 alarms and receives thousands of radio transmissions per day. "We know this communications center with its new technology will allow the Police and Security staff the capability to better protect employees, patients, visitors and all hospital assets," says Chevrette.

Richard Chevrette in the new communications center.