The city of Boston dedicated a new, state-of-the-art command center for its EMS department last week. The Stephen M. Lawlor Medical Intelligence Center memorializes a Dorchester man who had a 27-year career with Boston EMS before he died of cancer in 2005.

Lawlor's family was on hand for the dedication of the command center, which is located at the Boston Public Health Commission's headquarters in Roxbury.

The center is is equipped with television screens for viewing news stations, projecting briefing materials and monitoring web based sites, such as hospital bed reporting or patient tracking summary boards. When not activated, the center will be used to train staff and regional partners in various aspects as well as for weekly medical intelligence updates among agencies. There are 26 health centers and 10 primary receiving hospitals within the City of Boston alone.

Lawlor began working as an EMT in 1972 and his last 10 years at Boston EMS was as a Deputy Superintendent. Lawlor was instrumental in the planning of several large-scale events such as Boston's First Night, the July 4th Celebration on the Esplanade, and the Boston Marathon. The Stephen M. Lawlor Foundation assists Boston EMS staff members facing financial hardship, working with the Boston EMS Relief Association, and supporting educational opportunities.