If you’ve ever been part of a disaster response, you know that the harshest, most punishing conditions that nature can conjure combined with a need for multiple responding agencies can be a perfect formula for communication challenges. Responders may be unable to talk to each other because their radios aren’t designed to work with other agencies or outside of their home network or because cell networks are down. Even when responders can communicate, they may be confused about who’s doing what, because they didn’t plan or train together.
This is why it’s so important that all responders have open and resilient communication technology that’s built on the sturdy foundation of a strategic response plan.
Preparing for anything
Good disaster response and recovery efforts begin with preparation. This requires investing in activities like a hazard vulnerability assessment and emergency response planning.
Every organization that will be involved in a natural disaster response should take part in these critical activities. It’s an opportunity for them to get to know each other and discuss plans and processes, including the terminology different agencies use and the roles each play when a disaster strikes. This can help eliminate confusion and miscommunication when communities are most vulnerable and in need of help.
The planning stage is also where responders can make sure their people and their communications technology can weather the storm. To help keep communication lines open, first-responder technology should deliver three primary capabilities:
1. Open and Interoperable
When a responder needs to be on scene during or after a natural disaster, the last thing they should have to think about is if their radio will work with other responders’ radios.
To eliminate this risk, more organizations are choosing Project 25 (P25) standards-based communications systems. These systems deliver true interoperability, allowing responders to talk to each other across different networks and vendor platforms.
Today, P25 is the gold standard for connecting voice and data communications across multiple responders. The standard defines interfaces for communications devices, such as how a radio talks to a tower and how one jurisdiction talks to another.
2. Layers of Resiliency
Whether it’s a blazing fire, fast-moving tornado or violent hurricane, a natural disaster can put your communications infrastructure to the test. That’s why it’s important that your infrastructure has layers of redundancy to help keep communication lines open.
Some network providers use power and back-haul redundancy. This level of resilience can help keep public safety radio networks available even when a severe weather event takes down cell towers.
Responders’ two-way radios can also be designed with layers of communications. For example, radios that can operate on LMR, LTE and “talk-around” modes can give responders multiple ways to communicate in case certain networks aren’t available. Additionally, built-in encryption options can protect responders’ voice and data communications from security threats.
3. Built for Extremes
Radio technology is constantly improving through rigorous testing, more rugged designs and improved audio capabilities to help keep responders connected in harsh conditions. Today’s radios are also built to meet a range of industry and even military standards to withstand high and low temperatures, shock, vibration and other environmental hazards.
For most responders, this provides enough reassurance that they can count on their radios in virtually any situation. But, for firefighters, it’s not always enough.
For these responders, there’s a specialized standard for radios and remote speaker microphones (RSM) – NFPA 1802. The standard defines robust hardware and software requirements that radios and RSMs must meet to help make sure firefighters can rely on their communications devices in some of the most punishing conditions possible.
The best technology for the worst scenarios
An army of responders stands at the ready to help your community in the event a natural disaster hits. To help make sure they can reach people in need, deliver critical supplies and restore essential services without interference, they deserve nothing less than the most reliable and interoperable communications technologies available.
