Speaker

August 23, 2016: Scott Edson W6EDS: Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and County Disaster Communications

Scott Edson has 38 years of law enforcement experience with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD). He is currently the Division Chief of Special Operations Division, which includes the SWAT Team, Air Operations, Crime Analysis and Intelligence, Street Gang Investigators, Emergency Management, Crisis Negotiations, Arson and Explosives, and Mental Evaluation Teams. Prior assignments include communications, technology, investigations, patrol, and custody.

Chief Edson is a nationally recognized leader in the area of Information Sharing, Homeland Security, Communications, and Technology. He participates on many Federal, State and Local committees and working groups, and is an active member of many associations, including Chair of the International Public Safety Association, Board of Directors. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management and an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice.

Scott became an Amateur Radio Operator in 1991 so he can hang out of helicopters holding a video camera connected to a packet radio system! He transmitted the bird's eye view of an incident back to a command post so the incident commander could make educated decisions based on real time observations. Truth be told, growing up he built “Heathkits” and his neighbor was a ham, so it was something that he was destine to do anyway... His call sign is W6EDS (www.W6EDS.us).

His presentation will include an introduction to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD), the current LASD analog Communications System, the new digital Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) and a bit on the Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service.