2:16 minute report. From KSTP: "If you’ve wondered where the U.S. Secret Service will be during the Republican National Convention, it’s in the Multi-Agency Communications Center. Whenever an event is designated a ‘national special security event,’ the Secret Service is required to set up a MACC. While its location can’t be disclosed, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS was given a behind-the-scene's look into the top-secret command post, where 100 agencies will work together to insure safety at the RNC."



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"Immediately, every other agency that's here will have situation awareness, and will know exactly what's going on in St. Paul," explained St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington.

The vast amount of computers, telephones, and video cameras spread across state, local, and federal agencies come together at the MACC, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

"That’s why we have all these different agencies, to monitor all the different traffic weather, air space," said Ed Donovan with the Secret Service.

At another undisclosed location, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has set up an ‘Intelligence Operation Center,’ where special agents are working closely with local police to gather and compile information on just about everything and everyone.

In the event of a crisis, the IOC would activate.

"Hopefully you will never see and we will never activate this. But in the event of a crisis, this is focused on address and resolving that crisis," said Ralph Boelter with the FBI. Officials said this is the largest gathering of FBI resources in Minnesota history.

This is only the 27th time in the last decade that centers like these have been set up in the nation. They're usually required during political conventions, presidential inaugurations, and even some Super Bowls.

More from KSTP Eyewitness 5 (ABC affiliate) | Top of Page

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