Insights

How communications and security technology is aiding emergency response

Australia is regarded as one of the safest places to live in the world, but this doesn’t make it immune to emergencies. Road incidents, domestic disputes, bushfires, flash flooding, cyclones and other natural disasters comprise just a small portion of the calibre of response scenarios faced by emergency service providers.

Digital radio technology possesses functionality that can significantly improve preparedness in alerting and co-ordinating incident response, regardless of the nature or scale of the event. 

Key Benefits of an Advanced Communications and Security Solution for First Responders 

Rapid Alerts from Business to First Responder

System integrations between detection alarms and the immediately concerned first responders is a critical but often under-appreciated solution that can substantially reduce response time.  

Alarms can be tailored to address the most prevalent threat to a particular business, whether it be fire / smoke, gas, forced entry, temperature, or weather. 

Additional, more recent functionality includes the ability to connect these alarms not just to a station, but to an emergency fleet’s radio systems – with the capability to automate the alerts to both radios and cellular devices. 

Modern system interfaces take alarms yet another step further, with panels that enable a first responder to identify the zone in which an incident is taking place. Shutters can then be activated to isolate the affected area, minimising likelihood or reach of harm.  

Co-ordinate an effective response

Any emergency service worker will acknowledge that the primary enabling, or debilitating factor of effective response is communication. Latest communications solutions and networks ensure the former.  

  1. Mode and Reach of Communication: Radio networks are recognised as being more reliable and robust than the alternatives of Wi-Fi or cellular in emergency communications. However, Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities on the latest digital radios can contribute to extending the coverage of a radio system, allowing coordination not just within an internal team, but with others not on the network, or some distance off of site. 
  2. Maintain Control: As mentioned above, a modern emergency communications system can maintain control, whilst selectively enabling interoperability with other systems as required. This is crucial to the integrity of emergency response, but not at the expense of external coordination, which solidifies preparedness and efficiency.Further to the ability to maintain control is a modern radio’s ‘Priority Interrupt’ function, which permits appointed leaders / personnel to interrupt or cut off other calls on a system in the interest of relaying critical information or coordinating a response, such as an evacuation.Modern emergency response communication systems account for the event that a primary control room could be compromised at any given time. As a form of backup, a secondary control room is established that can be quickly accessed by appointed personnel on site, or remotely on a tablet device.   

Staff Accountability

Staff accountability or visibility is paramount in emergency response. Front line workers put their lives on the line in the interest of duty, so technology should be in place that protects them wherever possible. Newer communication systems and radio technologies are feature-rich, with considerations such as the following:  

  1. Wireless beacons to track and record patrolling or active staff movement, with a 3D location, for rapid identification and head counting. 
  2. Recording capabilities that capture incidents with video and voice, with time stamps. This is critical for incident review.
  3. Lone worker monitoring and man down functions that send a notification across a system when a user falls down, is knocked over, or fails to respond to an alert. 

      Don’t Stop the Dialogue about Emergency Response here.  

      Emergencies will never stop, so our efforts to provide solutions that enhance the response, and its outcomes must never stop either. CSE Crosscom are constantly investing in resources, stock and education that enable us to provide the latest technology and solutions to enhance the capabilities of our front-line workers. 

      If you’d like to learn more, get in touch with our team.