Tait works with public safety agencies to design and deliver the highest level critical communications solutions that work in the challenging environments they face. Today we’ll be looking at communications solutions for law enforcement, fire services, and emergency services.
Responding to rapidly evolving incidents can require the support of additional agencies, so talk groups that include a wide variety of users are critical for effective public safety comms. Devices that support interoperability and convergence take this to a whole new level, by making it possible to create groups that span multiple technologies and networks.
Multiband radios can enable first responders to join different networks, as an event dictates. Push-to-Talk-Over-Cellular (PTToC) capability can enable your smartphone users to participate in talk groups with radio users, creating more routes for urgent calls. This flexibility aids public safety agencies by lowering response times, keeping headquarters and dispatch in immediate contact with first responders.
Broadband and Convergence for Law Enforcement
Officers can take advantage of broadband access without giving up their trusted LMR radios. Real-time geolocation, bodycam video, maps and images on demand, license plate reading, as well as warrant & arrest database queries can all be exchanged from their vehicle while maintaining voice contact with dispatch. This significantly improves the situational awareness of officers when they arrive at a scene.
WiFi data applications presented through a converged system can automate routine and often time consuming tasks such as tracking, asset management and updating settings and software. Convergence is crucial for officers as it turns their police vehicle into a mobile communications hub.
Broadband and Convergence for Fire Services
It’s no surprise that convergence can help with fireground communications. Multi-device talkgroups, automated asset tracking keeping everyone connected and better informed. Like law enforcement, Fire services can also enjoy the positive effect on response times. Where Fire Services differ is that fire events drive a different structure of communications. Fire communications are fairly quiet until a fire is reported then it’s ‘all go’.
The key benefit of convergence for fire services is that they do not lose precious time fighting technology rather than fires. Frontline staff still rely on LMR which allows them to communicate directly even when contact with the command network is lost. Fires change their behavior quickly, so close monitoring of the fire, the location and status of firefighters is essential for improving situational awareness and overall safety of personnel.
Broadband and Convergence for Emergency Medical Services
Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) see their mission changing from the transportation of patients to hospitals for emergency medical care to one of delivering more advanced medical care directly to the patient. In a race against time, faster response and more appropriate medical assistance lead to better patient outcomes. By combining, enhancing, and unifying the management of technologies currently used in ambulances – radio, mobile data terminals, tablets, smartphones – convergence allows paramedics, who are already working under stress, to focus on ambulance patients rather than communications equipment.
Learn more about the benefits of Broadband and Convergence for Public Safety on Tait Radio Academies ‘Introduction to Broadband and Convergence’ course instructed by Dr. Jan Noordhof.
Browse this course and more for free on Tait Radio Academy
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