MONROE - City officials plan to take advantage of the parking lot addition at the westside fire station and add a dome network camera to help Monroe Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Dan Smits do his job more efficiently.
Smits asked Monroe Common Council to approve the $4,600 camera, which has a 360-degree overview and can function in temperatures ranging from minus 22 to 122 degrees. The high-definition 1080p camera will be attached to a light pole near the lot. Ground work tearing up dirt and grass made the time for installation of the video streaming device ideal, Smits noted.
"It's common sense," he said. "It's cheaper for the cost because of the work that's going to be done. The camera would be IP-based instead of analog, like cameras in other buildings."
Southwest exposure of the camera will allow for weather monitoring without endangering personnel. Smits said the majority of hazardous weather comes from that direction. Live video feed gives the city an advantage in monitoring incoming storms or other hazards. It also adds security for the building.
The technology would allow video to be streamed at all times, which could potentially be viewed in a video management system.
Smits hopes to eventually integrate the same type of cameras throughout the city as a way to access all video feeds at once. Video could even be viewed on portable devices, such as a tablet, at some point if made secure, Smits said.
Aldermen approved the item Wednesday.
Smits asked Monroe Common Council to approve the $4,600 camera, which has a 360-degree overview and can function in temperatures ranging from minus 22 to 122 degrees. The high-definition 1080p camera will be attached to a light pole near the lot. Ground work tearing up dirt and grass made the time for installation of the video streaming device ideal, Smits noted.
"It's common sense," he said. "It's cheaper for the cost because of the work that's going to be done. The camera would be IP-based instead of analog, like cameras in other buildings."
Southwest exposure of the camera will allow for weather monitoring without endangering personnel. Smits said the majority of hazardous weather comes from that direction. Live video feed gives the city an advantage in monitoring incoming storms or other hazards. It also adds security for the building.
The technology would allow video to be streamed at all times, which could potentially be viewed in a video management system.
Smits hopes to eventually integrate the same type of cameras throughout the city as a way to access all video feeds at once. Video could even be viewed on portable devices, such as a tablet, at some point if made secure, Smits said.
Aldermen approved the item Wednesday.