3 Trends in Public Safety Communications
The right technology can make or break an officer’s ability to get the job done. With the right mobile devices equipped with access to dedicated first responder networks, real-time data and voice-to-text reporting software, officials can work efficiently and safely to focus on what matters most – the wellbeing of the community.
Delivering critical information during times of crisis or emergency, public safety communications experts need the most up-to-date mobile technology to do their jobs. Here are three trending topics in public safety communications:
Connectivity, Connectivity, Connectivity
Officials need to stay in the loop with their teams and their databases when out on call, allowing them to seamlessly coordinate with their counterparts and ensure each call is met with the proper response in a timely manner. Whether agencies choose to access information systems via tablets, handhelds or laptops, ensuring that the devices are capable of connecting to the latest first responder networks is key to giving officers across agencies the tools they need to collaborate and work efficiently. These networks offer priority and preemption to first responders, allowing officers to stay connected even when the airwaves are congested during times of crisis. It’s imperative that officials have the right connected devices to benefit from network priority and preemption.
Real-Time Access to Data
With connected mobile technology in the field, public safety officials can access data when they need to, where they need to, ensuring they’re working with the most current information and reducing unknown variables in dangerous situations. Officials can easily search – and find – the data they need to make real-time decisions, when they need it. This frees up time to pay attention to their environment and be more situationally aware, not struggle with their technology. Equipping public safety officials with the right mobile devices gives them the tools they need to effectively and keep the community safe.
With the ability to complete reports in the field using mobile computers, information can be shared within and between agencies in minutes. Without having to manually write down what occurred, officials can quickly share intelligence, keeping themselves – and those they share the information with – safe in the field. Real-time access to documents and databases is key to the safety of our communities and public safety officials themselves.
Voice to Text
Situational awareness in the field is interrupted when officers must complete a report or document manually, typing in their data instead of paying attention to their surroundings. But this data entry is integral within an agency, ensuring that all parties have the right information in real time. To ensure that reports are entered promptly without impacting officers’ situational awareness, voice-to-text software is emerging as a new way to complete incident reports.
Voice to text input allows officials to verbally dictate their reports, so they can focus on their surroundings and not their computer screen. Through a microphone connected to a laptop, officers can input data, freeing up time and attention that previously would have been spent on reporting. Voice to text not only bolsters situational awareness but improves productivity, allowing officials to complete reports faster and ultimately communicate their experiences with their teams in real time.
