Euralarm’s PEARS project, as demonstrated during the recent presentation of the EU project Alert4All, uses a variety of communication channels to connect government agencies and institutions with people, whether on the road, in the office or at home, providing standardised alerts. This was developed as an FP7-project under the lead of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in co-operation with 11 European partners and Euralarm’s PEARS.
Cross-border public alert systems, such as Alert4All, depend on the system’s interoperability making it compatible with more than just the usual channels. Alert4All’s modular design will permit the integration of other, as yet undeveloped methodologies. When necessary it can be upgraded – for instance to incorporate the security systems in buildings, schools or shopping centres. This was demonstrated during the presentation of Alert4All and PEARS.
The integration of existing fire and security products, systems and alarm receiving centres into cross-border public alert systems represent a distinct opportunity to open an additional channel for public alert scenarios.
The European trade body Euralarm says that the PEARS project has learned that fire and security products not only can but should be integrated into public alert systems. The installed base could be upgraded to receive alert signals which could be used to activate audible and/or visual warnings. More sophisticated systems can convert public alert messages into intelligible voice messages or display the same message on PCs. Integrating safety and security systems into a public alert scenario could reach large parts of the population, the body claims.
To allow this integration into public alert systems, Euralarm will promote and initiate a broader discussion on European level. This discussion will focus on the adaption of fire safety and security systems regulations to allow and encourage the integration of alarm systems into public alert communication networks.
According to Euralarm’ the first concepts for data models for emergency information exchange for societal security (ISO TR 22351) are good examples of such knowledge of transfer. Euralarm and its members will engage all stakeholders in a dialogue on the value of upgrading fire safety and security systems in the public interest.
Euralarm’s PEARS project was carried out from October 2012 until October 2013. The project was co-ordinated by Siemens Schweiz AG. Other partners were TYCO-Proximex as well as DEF-Group.
About Euralarm
Euralarm, the association of European manufacturers, installers and service providers of the electronic fire safety and security industry, founded in 1970, represents 2500 companies having a total turnover of about. 16.4 billion euros.
Visit YouTube for a video clip on Alert4All: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiowVQISN30
