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  • Locution Systems: At A Glance A quick, “At A Glance” overview of key information and facts about Locution Systems.
  • FAQ About Locution A series of questions and answers about Locution Systems, and its automated dispatching and fire station alerting technology.
  • Who's Who Client List A look at the many cities and counties throughout the United States and Canada that are using Locution Systems’ automated dispatching and fire station alerting system.
  • CEO Biography: Glenn Neal A biography on Locution Systems' CEO, Founder, and Chief Technology Officer.
  • Statement of Values Insights into the company’s values, and how we operate.
  • Industry Support Highlights of the public safety organizations that Locution Systems proudly supports.
  • Industry Partners A quick guide to the CAD vendors with which Locution Systems routinely partners.
  • Giving Back Learn how Locution Systems supports it customers, and the industry in general.
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FAQ About Locution Systems
How do you pronounce the company name, and what does it mean?
It’s pronounced “Low-KYOO-shun,” which refers to the quality and clarity of speech. Our automated dispatching technology is based on the “Mercedes” of speech technology – hence the company’s speech-themed name.
Just what is this automated dispatching voice technology?
Our voice technology is based on the most advanced speech technology available today: concatenated speech – which sounds the most crisp, clear, and natural (a necessity for 911 dispatching).
How did Locution Systems develop this technology?
Our CEO, Glenn Neal, is an engineer and long-time public safety technology pioneer. He developed the flagship automated dispatching technology roughly 20 years ago. The current version of CADVoice® automated dispatching technology takes full advantage of all the advances in computer technology, such as increased memory and processing power, faster data transmission, Web-based technologies, and more. Multiple 911 dispatches can be sent to multiple fire stations in milliseconds.
What fire station alerting technology is available?
Locution Systems offers a wide array of fire station alerting technologies, and fire/EMS departments are welcome to pick and choose the options based on their specific needs and budget. Locution System’s fire station alerting technology options include:
  • Precisely controlled fire station lighting (Lights throughout the fire station get their own “network address” and can be programmed to operate in very specific ways, such as egress lights, dorm lights, etc.)
  • “Ramped” lighting & tones (Lighting & tones can be set to “ramp,” or start at 0 percent and gradually ramp up to any percentage of intensity that’s desired, i.e. 0 to 60 percent, 0 to 80 percent, and in specific increments. The purpose of this technology is to more gradually alert first responders in the dead of night to wake them up more gently and reduce stress.)
  • Visual alerting products (LED reader boards, LED displays, unit color indicators, count-up timers in apparatus bays, and more);
  • Audio alerting products (Automated dispatching, zoned dispatching & a wide variety of alerting tones from which to choose); and
  • Fire station control technologies (Automatic shut-off of a gas stove, and automatic opening & closing of apparatus bay doors)
What are the company's origins?
Locution Systems, Inc. was founded by Glenn Neal, an engineer who developed a specialty in speech technology, and the fledgling company was called GCN Electronics back in those days. The company was formally re-named Locution Systems, Inc. in 1993. Since then, the company has invested heavily in the research and development necessary to develop automated dispatching and fire station alerting technology based on industry-standard technology and protocols. This adherence to industry standards makes it much easier to migrate as technology advances and standards change.
What’s the company’s financial status?
Locution Systems, Inc. is self-funded, privately held and profitable -- with plenty of financial staying power.
Who are some of your customers?
Our customers come in all shapes and sizes. We serve the city of Ames, Iowa (3 fire stations) all the way up to the Cities of Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., and Toronto. We can serve such a wide range of customers because our technology is highly scalable and can be configured to meet the needs of small, medium, and large public safety departments. For a more in-depth look at Locution Systems’ extensive customer list, Click here.
Is your technology proprietary?
The speech “engine” that we’ve developed is proprietary technology. However, all our systems have been designed to industry-standard specifications. So that means our proprietary software for dispatching and fire station alerting runs on off-the-shelf hardware, which makes it quite cost effective.
What makes the CADVoice® fire station alerting system different and state-of-the-art?
The Locution Systems fire station alerting system is in a class by itself for several reasons.
  • First, our system is software-based, which offers SIGNIFICANT advantages. A software-based system is MUCH easier to upgrade, and can be upgraded remotely. An old-fashioned hardware-based system would require a visit to each fire station to implement upgrades…we can do this remotely and at any hour of the day or night.
  • Second, our speech technology (dispatching) component of the system features far more functionality than other systems claim to offer. In fact, our dispatching system sounds so real that many people don’t believe it’s a voice file coming out of the computer.
  • Third, our system is lightning fast and improves response times. For instance, we conducted a test of the system’s speed for one of our installations. The Locution system sent multiple dispatches to multiple locations in less than a half second.
  • Fourth, our system is highly configurable. Since it’s a software-based system, public safety departments have many different options for how CADVoice® functions can be set to perform. This allows departments to both implement new technology and also maintain long-standing operational procedures and protocols.
What are the benefits of using this technology?
There are two key benefits from implementing Locution Systems’ fire station alerting system. First, departments see faster response times, both in general, and during times of high call volume at the communications center. Second, the system reduces stress for 911 dispatchers and first responders. Dispatchers can handle more call volume with the same staff; and responders experience less stress, particularly when zoned dispatching & zoned alerting is implemented.