Unified communications - changing public safety

The current and most commonly known concept of unified communications (UC) refers to a series of integrated devices and tools sold as a single communications platform. It covers social media, desk phones, VoIP, videoconferencing - everything that a business typically needs for communications in the digital age.

We see this trend becoming prevalent within the Australian public safety industry as well.

As an industry that relies heavily on communications for day-to-day operations as well as during crises, unified communications has the potential to reshape proactive and reactive response strategies for Australia’s frontline responders.

The free flow of information from the field back to command and control (and vice versa) delivers total situational awareness and thus assurance and back-up for every person on the frontline.

Within a public safety context, unified communications is therefore about managing and integrating devices and applications of all kinds.

It is also about the ability to do so with the inherent security measures in place to protect the integrity of their data and operations.

It incorporates different platforms - such as a digital radio and smartphone - communicating with one another to keep teams connected.

Public safety agencies need to keep up with community expectations - expectations that are being defined by a constantly connected world. Technology must adapt to deliver higher availability and shorter response times for public safety officers when it matters most.

Agencies are also constantly being challenged to do more with less. Communications should serve to ensure that critical information can be shared in real time, both with and between emergency service operatives who need to make quick and accurate decisions in the field.

This requires intelligence to bridge networks and enable the dynamic capability to securely share information.

Communications should support interoperability to enable different approaches to coordination. That way, teams can scale, partner and control situations without compromise.

Communications technology should also enhance mobility for every first responder, but only with the appropriate information to manage each situation in a way that empowers them rather than causing distraction.

Public safety customers around the world are also looking at incorporating new categories of technology - such as wearables and drivables - and how to integrate them into their networks.

Tools such as the wearable camera that relays video simultaneously from a user’s perspective back to command base; sensors that monitor an officer’s pulse and other biometrics; and a holster sensor that sends out a warning signal when a gun is drawn, are all driving intelligence-led policing, reducing response times and increasing officer availability.

Agencies are also now beginning to incorporate BYOD policies into the mix, and thus the technological capabilities and familiarity that comes with an officer using a consumer smartphone in the field.

It’s clear to these agencies how important these devices are to their officers, and rather than restrict access to them they have begun to embrace them.

Broadband innovations will further enrich the capabilities of first responders and we anticipate public safety applications will play an active role in this within the near future.

Changes in communications present significant opportunity for Australia’s public safety industry, and agencies are already contemplating how to convert the masses of available data into usable intelligence.

Our work with our customers to innovate new solutions is intent on putting intelligence into the hands of the people who need it most.