Case Study: Washington Common Operating Platform (WA-COP) achieves unified, scalable emergency communications across Puget Sound with BlackBerry AtHoc Connect

Washington State Implements Emergency System Using AtHoc Connect for First Responders

Washington Common Operating Platform (WA‑COP) is a regional government consortium serving the Puget Sound and Washington State that needed to improve coordination among dozens of local, regional, private and federal stakeholders. The group faced fragmented standard operating procedures and communications methods, systems that became overwhelmed during low‑frequency, high‑complexity incidents (one crash once involved 17 agencies and tied up traffic for 15 hours), frequent personnel turnover, and limited awareness of interoperable technology options.

WA‑COP chose a modular “building‑block” approach and deployed AtHoc Connect for mass notification and crisis communications, integrating the solution with agencies’ existing systems rather than replacing them. The result is a reliable, flexible platform that supports multiple communication channels and user‑defined operational pictures, enables real‑time coordination across jurisdictions, speeds and improves response efforts, and is scalable for expansion across Washington.

WA-COP

Bob Pessemier

Senior Technology Consultant