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Dutch adopt new mobile communications solution
By WDavidStephenson | May 30, 2007
The Dutch, citing the advent of “Network-Centric Operations” in the US, have adopted a new mobile communications solution from Cisco that will allow them to seamlessly share information in disasters and have an alternative to hierarchical emergency communications. Hmmm — where have I heard that argument before?
A test project in Utrecht was so successful that it’s being rolled out as a national standard.
One interesting component is a a module “specifically designed for data collection and onward transmission at the ‘injured nest’, (interesting term!) the first collection point for victims where medical staff assess the seriousness of each person’s injuries.”
The heart of the system is Cisco’s Victim Tracking and Tracing System (Slachtoffer Volgsysteem, or SVS).
It includes:
- Cisco mobile access routers, which include Wi-Fi access points in some emergency service vehicles, so there’s an instant WLAN.
- first responders can use a variety of wireless devices, including PDAs, to enter data about the victim and send it ahead to the hospital.
The advantages cited include:
- better patient outcomes because the person can be treated sooner during the “golden hour” after an accident, when recovery is most likely. The hospital is ready to treat the victim immediately upon arrival.
- it’s IP and standards-based, so it’s interoperable and will work with a variety of input devices.
- the two-way potential allows hospital personnel to route the vehicle to the most appropriate facility as well as give any specialized information needed to stablize the patient.
Although developed for large-scale disasters, the system meets one of my critical tests because it can be used for regular emergency response as well (making it familiar, so the system doesn’t need to be learned in the midst of a disaster). It’s also more economical than a dedicated system because it works with other digital devices already in widespread use.
Pardon me if I’m excessively interested in ambulances and two-way, interoperable communications today: if she’s stabilized, my mother’s going to travel 80 miles by ambulance tomorrow from the hospital to a nursing home near me, and I’m going to be frantic the whole time she’s en route. Let’s hope the Dutch system becomes the norm here soon…
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homeland security networked homeland security government IT WiFilocation-based services wirelessweb 2.0emergency communications Network-Centric Operations disaster planning Cisco
Topics: technology, policy and politics, networked security, Uncategorized | |
