Overall, the IRAPP network enables multiple partner agen- cies, critical infrastructure entities, and emergency support enti- ties to come together on demand in secure colloboration groups as needed, extending down to the fi eld level by allowing the sharing of real-time sensor and personal device monitoring.
Why It Matters – Transit Bus Scenario
Terrorists often target surface transportation, which poses an added challenge to those responding due to the variety of agen- cies that might be called on to collaborate—ranging from federal to local—and the various forms such an attack might take. At Urban Shield, the Transit Bus Scenario presented a case of a ter- rorist aboard a city bus threatening the lives of passengers. This scenario presented the opportunity to test deployment of a Robotex surface robot to survey the undercarriage of the bus for potential hazards, including a possible explosive device and traps. Using a WSG attached to a remote-controlled robot, the development team telemetered real-time video from the hand- held public-safety robot controller back to the Command Center. Meanwhile, during actual SWAT team exercises, the Com- mand Center teams were able to monitor real-time bus surveil- lence video through Mutualink, providing situational awareness regarding the terrorist’s position, weaponry, behavior and ac- tivities, as well as the hostages’ facial expressions and behavior. The streaming video also gave insight regarding any potential explosives or other hazards aboard the bus or attached to the terrorist. Additional real-time video streaming from the offi - cers’ bodycams provided alternate viewpoints from each offi - cer’s perspective.
Lessons Learned
Urban Shield provided an opportunity for public safety offi cials to test emerging communications technologies and understand use cases that might not otherwise be anticipated. The event took place day and night over 48 hours, giving participants the chance to assess the technology in a variety of conditions. For example, the streaming video from a well-lit daytime scenario proved far more useful than video transmitted in the deep dark of remote locations at night.
Also, by enabling video streaming with operational voice communcations, the ability to operate and react to video in real time was more operationally effective. This demonstrated that conventional camera surveillence monitoring infrastrucure was not suffi cient without being enabled for secure, on-demand sharing, and further that real-time voice was needed for context and decision making during the operation. This reinforces the idea that passive video surveillance infrastructure needs to be evolved from after-the-fact investigative tools to real-time assis- tive tools for fi rst responders.
Information sharing broadens law enforcement’s knowledge on-scene during emergencies, and interoperable communica- tions solutions like Mutualink enable the secure sharing of voice, video, text and data. But a new class of emerging tech- nologies—including biosensors and body cameras—call for even greater innovation to seamlessly and securely transmit these media. The WSG, using the Intel Edison chip, does just that, using increased computation power to bring leading-edge solutions to public safety.
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“Situational awareness is important for both SWAT team members and the Command Centers,” said Sheriff Munks of San Mateo County. “Mutualink and Intel are developing impor- tant technologies that I found easy to use and highly effective. I can see this type of solution becoming the standard for law enforcement everywhere. The goal is to keep my deputies and our community safe. Better awareness of what is happeining on the ground improves the likelihood that we can achieve safe and successful outcomes for everyone. This technology does that in a multitude of ways.”
The public safety community is in a unique position to benefi t from the Internet of Things to enhance physical well-being and to reduce the time necessary to resolve incidents. As the Internet of Public Safety Things (IoPST™) evolves, the information shar- ing capabilities afforded to individual offi cers and Command Centers will no doubt save lives of fi rst responders and the com- munities they serve.
David “Buck” Verbrugge is a Captain (Ret.) with the Sunnyvale, Calif. Department of Public Safety. Dr. Mike Wengrovitz is the Vice President of Innovation at Mutualink.
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