Page 3 - FE Blue Spring 2019

MSP’s Enhanced Watch Center Improves

Operational Capabilities During Critical Incidents

n late 2017, the Commonwealth Awareness Room. They
Fusion Center’s Watch Center communicate information
Iwas moved from Maynard to to internal and external
Massachusetts State Police General stakeholders statewide.
Headquarters in Framingham, and The Center’s capabilities
its normal business hours were were expanded to include
expanded to include a day and access to a network of
evening shift, Monday through Friday. government-run security
The move provides MSP with greater real-time cameras, a new video teleconference system
situational awareness capabilities during critical with connectivity to the State House, State Police
incidents. Fusion Center personnel assigned to the Academy, and MEMA, and new technology that
Watch Center continually monitor real world events, allows staff to push video content to command posts
domestic and international, to determine if an incident or commanders in the field on their mobile devices
impacts our state, region, or nation. during critical incidents. As well, personnel at GHQ
Analysts monitor open source intelligence, still perform traditional intelligence functions in
specialized fusion databases, the Homeland Security support of all MSP Divisions and the National Network
Information Network, ShotSpotter, and virtual national of Fusion Centers, and are available 24/7/365 to
level rooms that are only available to Fusion Center support investigative and operational needs of the
personnel such as the National Situational Awareness Department’s Troops, Sections, and Units.
Room and the Cyber Intelligence Network Situational

INSIDE Welcome, Luna

Charbo’s Run Draws Charles Schultz, the creator of Charlie
Thousands of Brown and Snoopy, wrote that “Happi-
Runners, Volunteers ness is a Warm Puppy.” The MSP has
in Honor of Slain embraced that idea with the acquisition
Trooper > 4 of a four-month-old English Black Lab-

Tom Quin recalled rador as the agency’s first-ever comfort
as Great Drug Cop dog. Luna was bred for comfort dog
Outstanding Family work and was donated to the Employee
Man > 6 Assistance Unit. She lives with her han-

Trooper Richard dler, Trooper Chad Tata, and his family.
Zucco Retires after Luna will be called upon to reduce stress
Nearly 49 Years on and promote wellness and healing for
the Job > 11 first responders and their families after a
traumatic incident, and eventually Luna
Cover: Troop F Sgt. will also be working with civilian victims
Craig Brabham and and survivors. “She is part of my day-to-
K9 Cadilac sweep an day routine, as well as responding to all
airliner.
my call outs,” Trooper Tata said. “She will
Back Page: Trooper attend all debriefings that I am invited to,
Robert Gallant and as well as coming with me to the office. A
EOD K9 Chico at gentle, docile and playful dog, she brings
work on a plane. a comforting presence and (as Snoopy’s
creator wisely stated) she commands
smiles in any room she enters.
Spring 2019 3