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A byte out of the Big Apple: lessons for the UK?
The New York City Municipal Wireless Network has been officially launched and is operational over a 300 sq mile area. BAPCO Journal speaks to the network suppliers IPWireless and Northrop Grumman to find out if any lessons could be learned for the UK.
Interoperability – the holy grail of emergency response
It is well recognised that a co-ordinated emergency response relies on the ability to share information with the right people at the right time. Too often in the past, poor communication capability has hampered efforts to respond to major incidents. Richard Bobbett, Chief Executive of Airwave, explains how interoperability may be a simple and compelling concept, but implementation is less easy to achieve.
Bringing law and order in storage for Greater Manchester Police
How to meet growing storage needs and improve data resilience without adding IT complexity was the challenge for Greater Manchester Police. BAPCO Journal examines how NetApp’s solution helped Greater Manchester Police’s IT staff to design the system, identify and remove performance bottlenecks, and manage data migration.
Bapco South East Region Resilient Telecommunications seminar
Resilience was the theme of the South East Region Seminar held on the 26th of November at Maldon in Essex. The venue and refreshments were kindly provided by Andy Fleet and his team at Samdale, and around 40 delegates attended what proved to be a fascinating series of presentations, writes Alan Lindfield, Acting Chair, SE Region.
Why not hop in Airwave’s Volvo Mobile Data Car?
A mobile data car for the blue light community has been put together by Airwave and will soon be making its way to your area. BAPCO Journal will be charting the car’s journey from concept inception to build and practical on-the-road demonstrations. Today we look at the objectives and proposed features of the Volvo vehicle.
The future for GIS – mobile, interoperable and open
Using an open system for GIS was key for the British Transport Police, who wanted to share data with partners such as Network Rail. Dan Worth examines some of the latest GIS and web mapping developments, as well as benefits in keeping GIS solutions open.
Eye-spy - not a toy
On a cold, windy late February afternoon the BAPCO Journal is at a large demolition site high above Portsmouth, courtesy of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. Why? To see how the brigade is using a radio-controlled helicopter to help with all manner of responsibilities – Dan Worth reports.
TETRA Solutions for A&E
Sepura designed and developed an accident and emergency vehicle solution specifically for ambulance, paramedics and health personnel. Peter Hudson, Product Manager with Sepura, explains how the solution works in practice, combining the advantages of mobile telephony, mobile data, messaging and two-way radio communications. The Ambulance Trusts use some or all of the functionalities of this solution to complement their own working practices.
After Sir Pitt's Review
David Lane of Lane, Jefferies and Associates, writes about the future communications challengesin making the UK nationally resilient at times of wide-area flooding.
Tough mobile radios
While the mobile phone has for many years been the technical darling of the world with a whole raft of new applications and improvements, so has the PMR handset, reports Dan Worth.
Inspiration for 2009
BAPCO 2009 attracted 1,265 attendees, an increase of 4.5% on 2008, over the three days of the conference and exhibition, creating a buzzing environment for the order-writing and business being done throughout the show.
Harness IP metadata for lawful intercept
Thibaut Bechetoille, CEO of Qosmos,examines how IP metadata can considerably help law enforcement agencies fight cyber crime.
A single contact point
With accurate address data essential to the workings of police forces across the UK, Carl Hancock of Aligned Assets considers the numerous datasets available and how it can often be difficult to know which one to chose. Is there a way round this common situation?
A commanding view
Command and control centres are common in events worldwide, from the Pan-American Games to the inauguration of President Barak Obama. Dan Worth speaks to Intergraph.
Setting high standards
Next time you’re walking down the street, look up at a CCTV cameras and see if you can spot any wires coming from the camera. The chances are you won’t. Over the past year the CCTV sector has been steadily transferring to IP wireless CCTV systems from traditional analogue systems. This has led to an increase in analytics software being used with CCTV systems and also prompted calls for the standardisation of IP CCTV technology.
The devil in the detail
Two days after the dubious pleasure of making the Mail on Sunday’s front page, no less, ACPO’s Criminal Records Office (ACRO) near Southampton received a visit from BAPCO Journal. Ian Readhead, ACRO’s Director of Information and current BAPCO President, was happy to set the record straight while providing a snapshot of ACRO’s complex work.
Stream on the move - bodyworn CCTV
Derbyshire Constabulary has just seen the rollout of body worn cameras to around 80 officers across the county, including Police Community Support Officers. BAPCO Journal’s Dan Worth investigates the journey taken by Derbyshire Constabulary before it reached this exciting point in time, and then looks at the hurdles that still remain before body worn cameras become the norm rather than the exception in the UK.
FiReControl and critical infrastructure conference report from Taunton
On January 29th an unprecedented number of BAPCO members congregated at the newly built Regional Fire Control Centre, Taunton. The theme of the day was – rather fittingly for the location – Protecting our Critical National Infrastructure, and the FiReControl Programme.
Going Underground with Airwave
The BAPCO Journal talks to Airwave, the NPIA and the British Transport Police about the rollout of the Airwave Network on the London Underground and what it will mean for the future of policing in the capital.
ESRI (UK) Q and A
In conversation with ESRI (UK) about the rise, benefits, and future of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and why now is time for the police sector to give this technology the attention it deserves.
Olympic challenges
Dave Hughes, Utilities Practice Director at ABeam Consulting, discusses ways for forces to prepare for the unprecedented challenges that the 2012 Olympic Games will bring.
FiReControl concerns
The UK’s 46 control rooms are to disappear, to be replaced by nine regional “super control centres”. However, it would appear that there are many serious concerns surrounding this wide-ranging project, writes Ann-Marie Knegt.
Is there a future for satellite communications?
Since 7/7 the pressure has been on emergency services to secure the most advanced communications technology – a difficult task during an economic crisis. Are satellite communications therefore an expensive luxury? John Severs examines the dilemma.
VOIP's onward march
When the BAPCO Journal last covered VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology we went to a conference at the London Fire Brigade museum which discussed both the positives and the problems this technology offers. One year on, and the technology is becoming an important part of emergency service command and control and telephony systems.
Unleashing GIS power
In 1854 John Snow proved that a water pump in Soho, central London, was the cause of a cholera outbreak. He did so by plotting the deaths caused by cholera on a map to prove to the authorities there was a link between the location of the pump and the proximity of the victims. Since then mapping has become an integral part of work undertaken by emergency services. The ESRI UK Conference on October 29 illustrated how far mapping has come since 1854 and the benefits of the latest technological advancements.
Mobile data in 2009
In November the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee put forward a report calling for further investment in mobile data. BAPCO Journal spoke to a number of key players in the industry to find out what they believe the future holds for mobile data in 2009.
"Messing" with lives?
A former Control Operator in one of the larger shire fire and rescue services in the UK writes to BAPCO Journal about the regionalisation of control centres and its potential effects.
The event of the year
It may only be January but thoughts are already turning to the BAPCO Show in April, to be held at the Islington Design Centre in London. Last year’s show attracted over 1,000 visitors and over 120 exhibitors from across the emergency service, Local Authorities and Government departments concerned with contingency planning and resilience. Dan Worth reports.
Pixel-Sharp Navigation
Enhanced mobile routing and navigation facilities for mobile data solutions are due to go live towards the end of the year, a result of the collaboration between Arqiva and GIS specialist Imass. Head of Mobile Data at Arqiva’s Wireless Access Division, Peter Harris, talked exclusively with BAPCO Journal about what this latest functionality on its police mobile data solution will bring to the table.
Integrated Roadshow
Promoting integrated ICT for civil contingency responders was the theme of the Arqiva sponsored BAPCO roadshow that took place in Preston on the 15th of October. The complexity of the challenges ahead and the gargantuan efforts being made to overcome them were ably presented, reports the BAPCO Journal.
Last mile resilience
With fixed line guidance now incorporated in the Government’s Resilience website, Dan Worth looks at how King’s College has responded to its responsibilities under the Civil Contingency Act.
Is it time to make the switch to "03"?
Neil Sherring, Chief Executive of Windsor Telecom plc, explains to BAPCO Journal readers why “03” numbers are becoming increasingly popular for non-emergency calls.
Making sense of the bigger picture - CCTV special
Following up on an article in The Guardian about CCTV the BAPCO Journal spoke to a range of leading companies and DCI Mick Neville from the MET's VIIDO unit, to uncover some truths about CCTV, and find out what needs to be done to make this technology as useful as it can be.
STORM in Scotland
Scotland is currently biting the bullet and planning to have all Scottish forces running the one Command and Control system. BAPCO Journal spoke with Tracey Lee, Head of Emergency Services Group at Steria, about the project and what it may mean for the rest of the UK.
A BAPCO record?
The South West BAPCO Conference held at Police Training Centre in Hamble was very much a “back to basics” affair with talks focusing on large issues and major concerns of the BAPCO organisation. One talk even prompted 25 minutes of debate – a possible BAPCO record.
Biometrics – common sense technology
Biometrics is a term that still has the sound of the future about it. The reality though is that biometrics are now a common form of identification and security for everything from car ignitions to passport control. Within the emergency services sector the use of biometrics has been moving forward for sometime. However, while the take up has been understandably slower than in commercial industries, there are still areas of biometrics that remain misunderstood and the benefits of this technology are still ignored.
A pan-European flood response
As part of Europe’s strategy of preparing improved response structures and systems for major disasters, over 80 civil protection, civil contingency, coast guard officials and emergency responders from all over Europe congregated in Stockholm, 18th and the 19th June 2008, to share the knowledge gained from the outcome of the EU FloodCommand project. Ann-Marie Knegt outlines the goals and outcome of this project.
Hands on radios
Consumer mobile phone technology is now also driving advancements in PMR and handsets, writes Ann-Marie Knegt. However, it is now more important than ever to ensure that basic user requirements are not forgotten.
eCall differences
In the March issue of BAPCO Journal we reported on the ground swell of support that is building up across Europe for the introduction of eCall and the fact that the UK has declined to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. In this issue, Ian Readhead, President of BAPCO, and holder of the Communications Portfolio for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), explains how the operation of the UK’s Telematics Protocol differs from the proposed eCall system, and what role BAPCO could play in ensuring that both industry and professionals are fully prepared for the ‘telematics’ future.
Keynote Speech BAPCO Conference 2008: Glasgow Terrorist Incident
Glasgow Terrorist Incident - Deputy Chief Constable and Detective Chief Superintendent Campbell Corrigan
FiReControl – one year on
The FiReControl conference at the recent BAPCO show attracted much attention from members of the English FRSs, which is not exactly strange when considering the sheer scale of this project. Ann-Marie Knegt provides an extract of Ian Griffiths’ (EADS) presentation.
PDAs for everyday use
In these exciting times for mobile data knowing which force has trialed which device could be useful. Dan Worth talked to some leading suppliers and manufacturers to find out more regarding PDAs on the market today.
Information overload
As CCTV technology develops, installation becomes easier, and body worn cameras become more popular, the potential for problems multiplies. Dan Worth looks at how Staffordshire Police is coping with the storage and handling of its video footage.
In support of mobile data
Interest in the use of mobile data to improve police effectiveness is growing apace – but it's a complex and potentially costly business. You must be sure that you are deploying the right technology in the right way to realise the benefits that mobile data can bring. Simon Eggleton, Head of Mobile Data at Airwave, looks at some of the ways mobile data can reduce the administrative burden.
Common hymn book
Gayle Gander of Intelligent Addressing – the custodian of the NLPG – explains how a true “joined up” database is now a reality, how the NLPG will help underpin the new regional control centres for the fire service, and how all emergency services will soon benefit.
London’s wolf packs
Earlier this year London Fire Brigade took delivery of the first version of a new command and control system that will dramatically change the way it manages major emergency incidents, involving both its new fleet of mobile command support vehicles and its entire command and control structure. Jose Sanchez visited VectorCommand to find out more.
VOIP - out with the old in with the new
The growth in VoIP is presenting a whole new set of challenges for the emergency services, as BAPCO Journal found out recently. Dan Worth reports from The London Fire Brigade Training Centre, the location for the South East Region conference, “What does VoIP offer?”.
Feel the power – why the Li-ion battery is currently the undisputed king of the jungle
It seems like only yesterday when Li-ion batteries started being introduced into the market, replacing Ni-Cad batteries. Three years later, the march of the Li-ion seems unstoppable as its benefits – which include 18 to 22-hours of power – become widely recognised. Dan Worth investigates some of the benefits these batteries are bringing to the emergency services – and hence to public safety.
In-vehicle workhorses
In the last few months there has been much focus on MDTs, in particular PDAs, to the
extent that one would be forgiven for thinking that PDAs are the sexy side of MDTs. And yes, while PDAs have a highly important part to play in terms of improved efficiency and better serving the public – and in such a visible way too – the workhorse that is the in-vehicle terminal, with its much greater capacity for, well, everything, should not be forgotten. Here we look at the some of the developments in in-vehicle hardware, and catch a glimpse of some future developments.
