In the past first responders have been able to rely on experience, communication, their equipment, and each other to achieve successful emergency response. Technology has evolved to better assist emergency services improve overall response times. Media has embraced social media tools and technology so have first responders using the data from Twitter, SMS text messages and other services for a targeted response in times of crisis.
A new technology from In Motion Technology is being used increasingly that creates reliable, secure, high bandwidth connection between ambulances and area hospitals. Data from medical equipment, laptops, tablets and video cameras and other on-board devices will be able to travel from the unit to the ER over 3G, 4G, private and public safety networks. In rural parts of the country where wireless coverage may be spotty, data will be able to roam across networks, keeping medics in constant communications with hospital staff at critical times.
“Organizations need a single, end-to-end solution to simplify management of mobile assets, operations and communications,” said Tony Morris, In Motion’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
“Organizations need a single, end-to-end solution to simplify management of mobile assets, operations and communications,” said Tony Morris, In Motion’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Robot manufacturers are finding more customers among first responders charged with investigating unattended bags in train stations, orphaned military explosives and rudimentary pipe bombs.
Those first responders who have used robots swear by them. This story comes from National Defense Magazine.
“If you can save one life with the robot, it’s worth the money you pay for it,”Sgt. Tom Calabro, a member of the Houston SWAT team, said at the Robo Business conference.
His unit has used a robot for one year and he already has numerous anecdotes proving their worth.
They are mostly used in situations where criminals, or suicidal people, have barricaded themselves in buildings.
In these situations, gathering intelligence is key. Most often, these barricaded individuals are armed, and they sometimes have hostages. Booby-traps are alsopossibilities, he said. Previously officers had to do the reconnaissance themselves. Now robots are taking their place, and allowing the SWAT team to stay at safe distances.
His team recently sent a robot into a house where a chemist operating a methamphetamine lab had barricaded himself in a room. The robot was able to map out every room in the house except the one where the suspect was holed up.
“You can’t plan without intelligence,” Calabro said. “If we have to send in a team, we want to know what the layout of the house is.”
In another case, an armed and wounded burglar had escaped into his house and was keeping three of his children hostage. He swore he would come out shooting. After negotiating the release of the children, the team sent in the robot. The suspect was so terrified of the machine, he immediately surrendered.
For Lt. James Melton, a haz-mat specialist with the Santa Ana, Calif., fire department, robots not only provide valuable reconnaissance, they buy time. The fastest haz-mat teams take 20 minutes to put on their protective gear after arriving on a scene. But 40 minutes is more typical. If there are victims inside a building, “the robots will be their salvation,” Melton said. Operators can send them into a toxic building within five minutes.
The fire department’s robot has a suite of sensors to determine what chemicals might be present. It can also carry a trailer with about 20 doses of nerve-agent antidotes. The robot can unhook the trailer, then use its gripper, or claw, to administer the shots.
Those first responders who have used robots swear by them. This story comes from National Defense Magazine.
“If you can save one life with the robot, it’s worth the money you pay for it,”Sgt. Tom Calabro, a member of the Houston SWAT team, said at the Robo Business conference.
His unit has used a robot for one year and he already has numerous anecdotes proving their worth.
They are mostly used in situations where criminals, or suicidal people, have barricaded themselves in buildings.
In these situations, gathering intelligence is key. Most often, these barricaded individuals are armed, and they sometimes have hostages. Booby-traps are alsopossibilities, he said. Previously officers had to do the reconnaissance themselves. Now robots are taking their place, and allowing the SWAT team to stay at safe distances.
His team recently sent a robot into a house where a chemist operating a methamphetamine lab had barricaded himself in a room. The robot was able to map out every room in the house except the one where the suspect was holed up.
“You can’t plan without intelligence,” Calabro said. “If we have to send in a team, we want to know what the layout of the house is.”
In another case, an armed and wounded burglar had escaped into his house and was keeping three of his children hostage. He swore he would come out shooting. After negotiating the release of the children, the team sent in the robot. The suspect was so terrified of the machine, he immediately surrendered.
For Lt. James Melton, a haz-mat specialist with the Santa Ana, Calif., fire department, robots not only provide valuable reconnaissance, they buy time. The fastest haz-mat teams take 20 minutes to put on their protective gear after arriving on a scene. But 40 minutes is more typical. If there are victims inside a building, “the robots will be their salvation,” Melton said. Operators can send them into a toxic building within five minutes.
The fire department’s robot has a suite of sensors to determine what chemicals might be present. It can also carry a trailer with about 20 doses of nerve-agent antidotes. The robot can unhook the trailer, then use its gripper, or claw, to administer the shots.
New Technology Cuts Emergency Response
Times
First responders in emergencies have been able to cut their response times with the help of computer-assisted dispatching.
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The American Red Cross’ surveyed of 1,058 adults indicates that 18 percent would turn to digital social media if calls to 911 were unsuccessful.
Sixty-nine percent of the adults surveyed said emergency response agencies should regularly monitor their Web sites and social media networks so they can respond promptly to requests for help posted there; 74 percent said they would expect help to arrive within an hour. Now people with iPhones can now get an app that will allow them to track a strom right from there pocket.
Sixty-nine percent of the adults surveyed said emergency response agencies should regularly monitor their Web sites and social media networks so they can respond promptly to requests for help posted there; 74 percent said they would expect help to arrive within an hour. Now people with iPhones can now get an app that will allow them to track a strom right from there pocket.