Emergency services REACT in exercise

The system aims to enable secure and reliable exchange of information between deployed emergency response personnel and its relevant command and control centre during a crisis or disaster situation and also for routine interventions (e.g. car accidents).

REACT combines the use of mobile phone technology with satellite communication technology and the emergency service’s communication system, TETRA.  This ensures that there is always a communication line available during a major incident, even if the mobile phone network is not working or is overloaded.

Thanks to the satellite communication broadband capability the system provides a range of voice, data and video communication channels between the fire service personnel on the ground and the commanders in a central command and control room.  This enables the commanding fire officers to take a co-ordinated approach to managing the incident using the information they are receiving from officers on the ground.

During the exercise a specially adapted incident response vehicle, the Dublin Incident Command Unit, was sent to the emergency scenario.  

The vehicle has a Ka-band satellite dish and a CCTV camera mounted on it in order to send and receive information and images from the scene.  It operates as a communications hub, enabling real time communication through voice and video conferencing services from the scene of the incident to the command and control room.

These services allow a common operational picture of the incident to be presented and coordinated by the scene commander.  An incident command board is used remotely to enable command and control personnel to provide more efficient operational support to officers at the incident.

A touch screen monitor installed inside the vehicle allows personnel to launch and use the different REACT applications.  These applications include an interactive white board (smart board) which enables on-the-scene officers and control personnel to share maps, plans and sketches between the incident response vehicle and control room.  Full resolution images from first responders cameras can also be sent to the control room. 

In summary, the REACT system provides seamless streaming of audio, video and data from the incident to the commanders, giving a 360 degree view of the situation on the ground and providing an invaluable real-time picture of the incident.

Ritchie Hedderman, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Head of Operations from Dublin Fire Brigade, explained “In the event of a major emergency, secure and reliable communications are vital  to the emergency services.  I feel that the Satellite communications in time will prove to be the primary and preferred means for communicating as it can supply voice, video and Data back to regional and national control centres where strategic commanders can assess situation on the ground and provide the back-up resources in order that a successful conclusion to the emergency can be obtained.”

Lead partner, Skytek, has made sure that the look and feel of the control panel and electronic forms fit with Dublin Fire Brigade’s existing operational procedures and paper based records.  This enables the service personnel to use the systems and software with minimal training. 

REACT applications on touch screen monitor and laptop

ESA’s Technical Officer Olivier Becu welcomed the demonstration of REACT in an emergency response exercise.  “The experience gained from this exercise enables the prime contractor, Skytek, to verify that the system actually supports the Dublin Fire Brigade to provide an integrated and coordinated response to an emergency event.”

The satellite communication system has been made possible as a result of an agreement between ESA and Avanti to provide capacity via the HYLAS 1 satellite which includes a Ka-band spot beam that supports complete coverage of Ireland.

Video footage of the REACT system in action during the emergency exercise can be viewed here
 

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Published 03 July 2013
Last updated at 03 September 2014 - 08:23