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Plugging the gaps
Would the events surrounding the Stockwell shooting have turned out differently with the correct application of technology? In this first part of a new series looking at technology in hindsight, we concentrate on the Stockwell shooting and the gaps that could have been plugged with a working digital recording solution. BAPCO Journal speaks with Paul Collins (Director Business Development Public Safety) from CyberTech, a provider of resilient digital recording solutions, about the report by the IPCC, Stockwell One Investigation into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell underground station on 22 July 2005.
An ATEX future for Ambulance
The development of ATmosphere EXplosive (ATEX) compliant TETRA radios – the industry standard that certifies devices as “intrinsically safe” to operate in hazardous areas where dust and explosion are risk factors – has seen significant growth in recent years. Indeed Motorola anticipates demand for ATEX TETRA radios to grow by approximately 20 per cent, writes Director (Business & Strategy Global TETRA) Heidi Hattendorf.
Common approach: unstoppable?
Siemens Enterprise Communications (SEN Group) recently organised a round table discussion to examine “next generation” public services and the type of infrastructure networks that would underpin them. Here, Craig Pollard, Head of Criminal Justice & Emergency Services at SEN Group, examines these trends and how they affect the police and emergency services.
SMART collaboration
Collaboration at the response stage has long been practised by the emergency services – it's an intrinsic part of emergency resolution. However the introduction of the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004 has elevated this from best practice to legal obligation. Martin Large, CEO, Steljes, explores how some emergency responders are using collaboration technology to achieve compliance and ultimately save lives.
Holland prepares for the worst
With public safety at the top of any government’s agenda, the Dutch Ministry of the Interior realised that a modern public warning system was essential for the safety of its citizens. With a Cell Broadcast System, it found a solution that met all of its requirements.
The show that must go on
Although the Icelandic volcanic eruption made BAPCO 2010 a quieter affair than previous years the quality of visitors more than made up for it – a common denominator in the feedback received by the Journal (Red Box Recorders’ Karen Lillywhite even called it their “most successful BAPCO ever!”). Here are some of the highlights of a unique event that brings together professionals from all civil contingency areas.
Delivering an effective police service to remote communities
As the squeeze on public services starts to bite, forces are coming under increasing pressure to use existing resources more efficiently and balance budgets in a more effective way. The role of police stations in remote communities is coming under review as these costly resources present significant opportunities for cost savings. However, closing local stations will be a contentious issue with the communities they serve as people fear the consequences of losing their local police presence.
Risk data and the GIS future
Modern information technology is very good at managing large quantities of data and making it available in an easily accessible way. Methods for distributing site specific risk information (SSRI) are being developed and rolled out across the UK’s Fire and Rescue Community, paving the way for the day when a GIS interface in the cab of an appliance will call up a detailed map of the incident area including detailed relevant information, writes John Richardson, Marketing Manager, Innogistic.
The first GB-wide coverage?
British Transport Police (BTP) have always been an enigma within the UK’s police force. Unlike other forces, it has national coverage and a specific remit, yet all the while faces many of the same issues that are found in any force. So what is their approach to incident location and land/property addresses? BAPCO Journal takes up the story at a crucial point for BTP.
Reports: solved
How many man-hours does it take to compile reports that identify where resources have been deployed over the last week or month? And what about correlating those reports with incident hot spots? Jose Maria Sanchez de Muniain finds out about a new product that turns a process that has traditionally taken hours into mere minutes. Welcome the Inca Reports.
Time to address your geo issues
Government services in Britain are undergoing a transformation as part of a major modernisation programme. The transformation of local government is well underway thanks to the e-Government and t-Government initiatives of the last decade that enabled councils to offer centralised services such as multi-service contact centres and web information services. Faith Clark, Geographic Information Consultant, reports.
Criminal records in safe hands
On the 18th of March 2010, the Government’s Independent Advisor on Sharing Criminality Information’s published her report on the retention and disclosure of criminal record information held by the police on the PNC, together with the Government’s response. Jose Sanchez de Muniain speaks with Ian Readhead, ACPO Information Director, on the significance of the related landmark case and the future of criminal record data in general.
NPIA publishes science strategy
NPIA has published a new strategy focussing on cutting-edge science that helps the police to detect crimes in hours rather than days and creates safer neighbourhoods.
Enhancing Airwave analysis
Syntech is enhancing its market leading Airwave CDR (Call Detail Records) Analysis and Reporting Tool for the Airwave Tetra network with two new analysis modules.
FiReControl to go ahead, but with assurances
The Government's programme to replace 46 local fire and rescue service control rooms with nine purpose-built regional control centres has been inadequately planned, poorly executed, and badly managed, said the Communities and Local Government Select Committee.
