Critical Communication for Today's Responders

Aug 2009 , Sponsored by Sprint

Crucial Data at the Right Time

Sprint networks and BlackBerry® smartphones greatly enhance public safety communications.

For today's public safety personnel - whether police, fire or EMS - information is everything. Having the right data at the right time can mean the difference between life and death. The importance of real-time information cannot be overstated. Things move quickly, and if responders are operating with old data - even a few minutes old - the results can be disastrous.

The ability to share information with other agencies is also critical. Many incidents require a response from several jurisdictions, including local, state and federal. However, disparate radio systems often prevent neighboring agencies from communicating with each other seamlessly.

BlackBerry® smartphones, with data applications running on Sprint's networks, help first responders and law enforcement connect to each other and access critical decision-making data. This includes criminal background checks, warrant data, weather information, driver's license and address records, maps, health records and much more. In fact, the number of applications delivering key information to public safety officers on their BlackBerry smartphones is growing rapidly.

Nextel Direct Connect® is a powerful push-to-talk capability that allows the BlackBerry to interoperate with existing radio systems. Direct Connect on the Nextel National Network also enables integration into public safety console systems, and talk groups for better collaboration. These Sprint network capabilities are one reason the BlackBerry device has become a logical addition to the communications system for agencies all over the country.

Better, Faster Tools

Wireless networks are getting faster, which also speeds the flow of information. Video, for example, is easier to transmit with networks that are more robust and powerful. Video being recorded by a squad car can now be seen by a dispatcher. Users can see surveillance videos on their BlackBerry devices, and photos and videos can be shared more easily.

Sprint's NextMail capability allows users to send voice messages as e-mails from a BlackBerry smartphone to one or many dispatchers, commanders, responders and others. More and more of these applications are giving public safety agencies access to comprehensive information in real time.

On-scene photos can be sent to a command post. Hazardous materials data can be overlaid on maps. Locations of people and resources can be tracked, enabling more efficient deployments. Mission-critical conversations can occur without needing to go through a dispatcher. Push-to-talk communications can occur on a secure Sprint Nextel dispatch network rather than through traditional radio systems.

These and other capabilities are enabled by BlackBerry smartphones and Sprint's networks. Often, users can get data themselves via their BlackBerry device instead of having to request information from busy dispatchers. It all means better safety - for both the public and responders themselves.

Sprint and BlackBerry products provide comprehensive situational awareness and help all responders be on the same page at the same time. This is done with commercial, off-the-shelf tools that are less expensive and easier to deploy than custom-built solutions. And people already know how to use them.

Numerous public safety incidents in recent years have underscored the need for better interoperability and access to more data for responders. Fortunately BlackBerry smartphones and the Sprint networks can deliver an ever-growing number of applications straight to those who need them - the people responsible for protecting the public.