Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Police’s joint command unit represents the endless opportunities presented by both greater interoperability between agencies and the intelligent use of digital communications. Since 2016, it has been deployed at multiple complex incidents, pre-planned & community events and major incidents.
The first of its type in the UK, the high-tech vehicle features satellite, 4G and private LTE communications, while the built-in technology includes the ability to receive and view footage from remote static cameras, body worn cameras, UAV’s and the police helicopter.
The service are now rolling out a fully connected fleet to support various operational scenarios.
Connected Fleet
Recently awarded following test/evaluation is the connectivity onboard fire appliances to enable crews and first responders access to real time situational awareness; e.g. the ability to connect devices and access cloud based applications.
The technology provides interoperability across the fleet and scalability to respond across every incident type/risk factoring in the challenges to connectivity. The capability includes a Multi-Wan Router with integrated 4G and Wi-Fi, 4G optimisation antenna (Excell) and Video streaming of connected cameras e.g. bodyworn, vehicle CCTV.
The technologies provide a platform to enhance incident management linking control room(s) and on scene tactical and operational commanders to support shared situational awareness. This includes Interoperability between Police, Fire and Ambulance with the ability to link and share information.
The integration of resilient communications platforms and other technologies across the fleet and incident ground provides the highest level of situational awareness of an incident for all commanders and specialist responders, whether on scene or at a remote location. It also supports coordinated working with other agencies involved in an incident.
As digital transformation progresses, we are enhancing our Existing JCU and MASAT capability with scalable and reliable connectivity solutions onboard our fire appliances. This will enable responders first on scene guaranteed access to the internet with the ability to automatically deploy additional levels of resilience should it be required.
Factoring in the complex environment that our teams face when deployed on-scene we have worked with Excelerate to provide a dynamic, scalable and resilient solution across our fleet – it improves communication and the ability to seamlessly receive and share real-time operational information as well as support with ongoing training and post incident reviews.
Phil Pells
Group Commander and NILO
Key benefits across the fleet of solutions include:
- Command support including incident ground mapping, logistics, resource management and information management for external control rooms and on scene commanders.
- Contact point for the Incident Commander and Service Control rooms
- Secure communications across cellular and satellite for data and video transfer on scene to any location – this includes a local private 4G LTE network within the immediate vicinity to link devices and responders to the internet and cloud-based applications
- Network services and configuration of hardware to support automated management of stored information. For example, the ability to automatically upload data when the vehicle(s) return to the station and connect to station Wi-Fi
- Intuitive, easy to use interface – common operating platform across fleet to improve training, user interaction and remote diagnosis/support
- Live streaming of video links into the vehicle such as remote cameras, body worn cameras and UAVs across the incident ground and if required over a secure backhaul to remotes.
- Provide situational awareness of the incident via electronic displays and live camera feeds.
- NPAS hele-tele downlinks to support viewing, recording and monitoring from within the unit and streaming via the ExStream Video Management Service that is accessible on any authorised device including desktops, PCs, laptops, phones and tablets and can be integrated into any incident command software as a feed)
- Video conferencing and recording facilities capable of being live streamed, viewed and recorded
- Ambient record and listen software
- Resource booking in facilities.
- Access to back office systems – risk assessments, building plans, SOPS etc
- Acesss to web-based applications such as Hazard Manager, Resilience Direct, NOG and JESIP
- Link to other Agencies Command & Control vehicles and Connected Fleet