Fallon Ambulance Runs Maiden Voyage of Metro-STAR Central Communications Mobile Command Center

MILTON AND BOSTON, MA, ISSUED AUGUST 6, 2004…Fallon Ambulance Service, a three-generation, family-operated ambulance service with headquarters in Milton, recently dispatched the Metro-STAR Central Communications Mobile Command Center on a trial run to cover the July 4th Holiday celebration in Weymouth.

The $600,000 Mobile Command Center was obtained through a grant from the Homeland Security Department and is under the command of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council Special Tactics and Response Division (Metro-STAR), a consortium of 43 local police and sheriff's departments located south of Boston.

The Mobile Command Center has the ability to communicate with more than 120 police agencies, federal government agencies, the Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Agency, State Police and the Department of Public Safety. In addition the satellite links offer self-sufficient phone services, Internet and fax along with the radio communications. The vehicle also has 360-degree video capability reaching up to 100 feet in the air with six portable cameras that can be deployed up to two miles away. The vehicle is large enough to accommodate up to 12 occupants. The state-of-the-art communications center was designed and built by Wolf Coach in Auburn, MA and is garaged in one of Fallon Ambulance's centers.

"On the third of July, Fallon's staff tested the vehicle in a venue with multiple agencies to identify any kinks in the system," said the commanding officer of Metro-STAR Deputy Police Chief Richard Wells, Jr. of the Milton Police Department. "We were very impressed with the mobile command center's performance. Wolf Coach has a long standing history with the military and an excellent reputation for their communication technology."

Metro-STAR offers participating communities an experienced, highly trained and disciplined tactical resource package comprised of local police officers from each member community. The division utilizes the authorized strength of 150 officers which includes a Regional Response team used primarily for search and rescue operations involving missing persons and controlling incidents of civil disobedience, a 30-officer Special Weapons and Tactics team, and 8-officer Crisis Negotiation Team which includes the services of a forensic psychiatrist and psychologist available to help peacefully manage and resolve critical incidents. Specially trained police dogs, a command post staff and a Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) component round off the Metro-STAR team. All TEMS personnel are certified paramedics from Fallon Ambulance Service who have completed nationally recognized courses to prepare them for working in the chaos of a highly charged tactical environment.

"The Mobile Communications Command Center is a wonderful resource for all of the communities served by Metro-STAR," said Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Fallon Ambulance Services. "We are proud to serve with the highly trained specialists who are part of Metro-STAR and we look forward to continuing to provide the support and services that keep our communities safe."

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.