A strong communication network is key for any security service. If you can’t report back to base when you need to, that’s going to make things tricky. This is why local police and security services in three towns in the south of France switched their two-way communications to Digital Mobile Radio (DMR).
The brief
New legislation meant that police authorities in the area needed to update their communication system, to strengthen their security in a potential emergency. The main criteria needed for the new system were:
•A communications network that could handle high volumes of calls as quickly as possible
•A centralised command unit that could coordinate responses from the emergency services
•Instant access 24 hours a day, seven days a week
•The ability to make group calls
•The ability for teams to be able to communicate not just with each other, but control stations, surveillance centres, and other emergency services; and
•That the communications network was compliant with the new legislation requiring local authorities to have a Communal Crisis Plan for emergencies.
Hytera create radio handsets and systems for all kinds of purposes, from the Shenzhen metro to North Sea oil rigs. Their Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) systems combine radios with the software and applications to improve coverage and increase capacity. The system was recommended when the local authorities met with the French radio communications company Sysoco, who recommended the Hytera DMR radio application due to the strength of its technology, and its ability to meet the requirements of the new legislation. The towns came together to create a plan, and police services in the area now use Hytera DMR to control communications.
Urban Surveillance Centre
One major part of the towns’ new safety and security system is the Urban Surveillance Centre (USC). This centre helps fight crime, ensure public safety, and manage local services. The USC is a central point for communication, mostly calls from police officers, but it also coordinates communication to other emergency services such as the ambulance and fire services. The centre also manages the CCTV cameras around the towns. It helps ensure public safety by monitoring the footage and alerting the appropriate services if an incident occurs.
Community Crisis Plan
One of the aims of the new communications system was to fulfil the new legislation requiring that local services have a Community Crisis Plan in the event of an emergency. Over 10,000 French towns and villages have updated their plans so far. The plan requires the implementation of a Central Command Unit which would take responsibility for coordinating responses from the local emergency services, plus the ability to receive alerts and manage them at any time as quickly as possible.
There is a possibility that mobile networks could become a target during a disaster and become unusable. There had previously been technical problems with mobile networks due to network saturation from the number of calls coming through or destruction of phone lines and services. However, Hytera provides a digital two-way radio network that can stay open during a crisis situation. This provides a secure means of communication, and also has the group call functionality that is highly useful for the security services.
Surveillance
Hytera have also implemented a SmartDispatch system to allow authorities to manage their technology. The system allows local authorities to geo-locate agents and vehicles in real time, and contact them by voice call or SMS. SmartDispatch radio dispatchers can also keep a record of events that happen across the network, take control of the radio system in the case of user error or injury, and activate and deactivate devices in the event of theft.
Outcomes
The Hytera Digital Mobile Radio has increased the communication capabilities of the police services in those French towns, and therefore enhanced public security. The Urban Surveillance Centre has provided a centralised point where both internal and external calls can be coordinated, and the SmartDispatch system manages the devices across the network. The technology has also allowed local authorities to create a Community Crisis Plan, and keep communication active in the case of an emergency situation.
Overall, Digital Mobile Radio, or DMR systems offer:
•Increased functionality
•Maximum security
•Encryption
•Increased capacity, doubling channels
•Improved voice clarity and coverage
•Retained frequency from analogue networks
•Integration with location and data based services such as GPS
Visit www.Hytera.co.uk.
