Partnership serves community
by Sharon Higa | July 5, 2023
Among the diverse activities involved in external communications at Hawaiian Electric, we produce traffic advisories to let the public know when our crews are working in the field to maintain, repair or upgrade electrical equipment as part of efforts to modernize and build a resilient grid. The work typically involves lane or highway closures, so it’s important that traffic advisories are shared with first responders, such as police and fire personnel, to help them better plan alternate routes in the event of an emergency.
In addition to news media, our traffic advisories also are routed to the Joint Traffic Management Center or JTMC. Recently, our corporate communications team had an insider peek at the 24/7 operation, with thanks to the Honolulu Police Department Communications Division for the informative tour.
If you’ve ever passed by South King and Alapai streets the impressive building at the Diamond Head corner is the Joint Traffic Management Center, a communication hub of city and state personnel working together literally under one roof to manage the daily challenges of a busy metropolis.
Since the JTMC is a secure facility, we had to be escorted in and pass through a security check before starting the tour. Our guides quickly filled us in about the facility as we walked down a long hall. Behind closed doors, fire department personnel had their own mini station complete with dorm beds and a kitchen.
For me, the dominant feature inside the multi-story facility that drew gasps of awe was the glass window view of the sprawling ground floor. It was like a high-tech aquarium, only this panorama featured workstation pods organized like a puzzle while a jumbo wall screen revealed color snapshots from traffic cameras across the island and TV news programs. (Note photos shown in this blog have the screens blurred to protect any sensitive information).
The flurry of activity on the giant screen changed as different intersections and roadways came into view like vital health statistics on a digital patient monitor.
Around three dozen emergency response operators work on the floor, focused on the monitors in front of them and occasionally tapping at a keyboard but never straying far from their intense concentration. And, understanding the enormous responsibility they shoulder, it’s clear why distractions aren’t welcome.
A call to 911 is routed to operators who gather information and channel it to the appropriate first responders — police officers and fire department personnel are the most common — who are dispatched to an incident scene. Ocean safety and emergency services dispatchers also are here, and supervisors seated at a “bridge” have a clear line of sight to what’s happening on the floor. A flashing light at a workstation indicates help is needed and all is coordinated seamlessly.
The day we visited was thankfully quiet, yet the feeling in the air was one of alert readiness. These highly skilled personnel are all dedicated individuals with a sense of duty and responsibility. In a way, the Joint Traffic Management Center is like a doctor taking the pulse of the community and coordinating with a partnership of city and state personnel to care for its health and safety.
Sharon Higa is a senior communications consultant at Hawaiian Electric Company.
