Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
UPDATED: 7:48 p.m., Monday:
Bucks County’s outage of its vital computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system was caused by what authorities believe is a cyberattack, multiple sources told this news organization Monday evening.
In an evening communication to local officials, the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency said a “cybersecurity incident” was impacting the CAD and is being investigated.
Bucks County spokesperson James O’Malley confirmed the authenticity of the communication, but declined to comment further.
The county CAD, according to sources, went down Sunday afternoon and has remained down since.
County officials wrote in their internal communication obtained by this news organization that there was no timeline as of Monday evening for restoration.
The CAD is used by dispatchers, 9-1-1-call-takers, and responders to input and broadcast addresses and developing information on incidents. The information goes to crews in the field and helps determine what units are dispatched.
The outage has impacted local law enforcement agencies, fire companies, and ambulance squads. The Pennsylvania State Police use their own system separate of the county’s CAD.
The 9-1-1 center continued to be operational, received calls, and dispatched local crews as necessary as of Monday evening.
Bucks County officials told responders that they were working to restore CAD service and incident documentation is being kept on a backup system.
A police officer in Lower Bucks County told a reporter records of incident data can be key evidence if a case is taken to court. Presently, officers are using pen and paper and individual police department computer systems to keep documentation.
Emergency officials said the offline CAD system has caused a growing number of frustrations, particularly for responders accustomed to using in-vehicle mobile data terminals and dispatch apps.
Due to the incident, the county’s access to a statewide and federal law enforcement databases was disabled. However, some law enforcement agencies were able to access the databases separate from the county system, sources said.
The communication from county officials to local officials mentioned that state and federal agencies were investigating.
Cyberattacks and cybersecurity intrusions are a growing concern for businesses and governments. Last year, Lower Makefield Township was hit by a cyberattack.
Original Story:
Sunday and Monday in Bucks County were like the old days – police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews jotted down information and addresses relayed by dispatchers over the radio system.
Multiple emergency responder sources said the county’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system was not functioning, leading to the use of pen and paper.
As of 4:30 p.m., the system remained out of service.
The CAD is used by dispatchers, 9-1-1 call-takers, and responders to input and broadcast addresses and unfolding information on incidents. The information goes to crews in the field and helps determine what units are dispatched.
In jobs where moments count, a out-of-service CAD system can and has caused headaches, especially for responders who have come up using mobile data terminals and dispatch apps, emergency crews have told LevittownNow.com, NewtownPANow.com, and NewHopeFreePress.com.
Police and fire officials stressed that they were still being dispatched to calls.
The 9-1-1 center remained operational, was taking calls, and having local crews respond when needed.
County spokesperson James O’Malley confirmed the CAD system was down, but he did not state why the system was not working.
The county runs its 9-1-1 operation out of Ivyland Borough and handles calls for more than 130 local law enforcement agencies, fire companies, and ambulance squads. The Pennsylvania State Police use their own system separate of the county’s CAD.
A source with knowledge of the CAD system said the database has a large amount of information about every part of Bucks County.
