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Chicomm Blog

Anyone familiar with two-way radio lingo, particularly the military phonetic alphabet, will attest that the phrases, codes, and terms form a unique language that distinguishes its users from those who may not be familiar with its nuances.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, History

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If there’s one thing we know about incidents of violence or destruction, it’s that they happen quickly, and human eyes and memories can be unreliable. 

This is where the need for an unbiased observer becomes key, particularly for security and police forces tasked with maintaining public safety and order

In recent years, body-worn cameras have emerged as a solution to this challenge. These devices serve as impartial witnesses, capable of capturing continuous, objective video footage of events as they occur.

Motorola’s VB400 body camera is a notable example of this technology in action. The device captures high-quality images and is becoming necessary for security teams and small to mid-sized police departments.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Motorola Solutions, Safety Solutions

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A dispatch console is becoming an essential tool for anyone who wants to ensure that customers, workers, and the public are all connected and protected.

What are the functions of dispatch consoles, and what are the benefits of using this technology?

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Motorola Solutions, Safety Solutions

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For years, radio users had their own language - 10 codes. The lingo filtered into popular culture, and even folks who didn’t use two-way radios would say “10-4” to mean “affirmative.”

Despite their continued use in some industries and law enforcement, codes and other jargon terms are being abandoned in favor of what is called “plain language.” 

As early as 2006, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) ALERT wrote: “While the NIMS Integration Center does not require plain language for internal operations, it strongly encourages it, as it is important to practice everyday terminology and procedures that will need to be used in emergency incidents and disasters. NIMS implementation is long-term, and persuading everyone to change ingrained habits overnight is probably impossible. But we do hope that over time, everyone will understand the importance of using common terminology, that is, plain language, every day.” 

What are these “ingrained habits,” and how important are they in today’s two-way radio communication?

Tags: Two Way Radios, Public Safety Communications

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Police departments rely on communication technology to do crucial public safety work. The right equipment functions dependably each day and in many scenarios. There are several communications essentials that give officers the reliable, real-time information they need to do their job responding to incidents and serving their communities. These are the tools a modern, connected police department can’t do without.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Technology

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We depend on firefighters to do their jobs under the most dangerous conditions imaginable, and firefighters depend on their communication equipment to help them do it. Firefighter radios must perform reliably in all environments and stand up to rough handling in life-or-death scenarios.

When purchasing two-way digital radios to support this critical work, investing in the right product for your department’s needs is essential. Here are some key questions to consider when shopping for the devices that help firefighters keep our communities safe:

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Digital Two-Way Radios

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Why Does My Police Radio System Sound So Bad?

Posted by Tom Treichler on Monday, January 30, 2023

I can't tell you how many times I’ve heard from a customer, "My police radio system sounds bad," only to find that their radios are not set up correctly.

Not having the right setup and/or not using two-way radios properly will lead to all kinds of performance issues, even if you have the latest emergency communications equipment. This can impact everything from routine conversations to emergency communications and disaster response. Before you call to have your radios or systems serviced, it’s worth the time to try a few troubleshooting tips first.

The simplicity of the solutions here may surprise you, so keep reading for my answer to why your police radio system sounds so bad. Hint: It’s probably not the radio.

Tags: Public Safety Communications

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FirstNet was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to be a force-multiplier for first responders – to give public safety 21st century communication tools to help save lives, solve crimes and keep our communities and emergency responders safe.

FirstNet is a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders deployed through a public-private partnership between the federal government and AT&T.

FirstNet offers public safety a communications network built to their operational and technical needs — a new Band Class 14 network designed to be reliable, functional, safe and secure, and provide optimal levels of operational capability at all times. In other words, a dedicated ‘fast lane’ for public safety communications. 

First responders across the country – police, fire, EMS – are benefiting from the technological advances of FirstNet, and here’s a closer look at the benefits and possibilities.

Tags: Public Safety Communications

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The case for investing in a mobile command center (MCC) for police departments and other public safety agencies is strong – they’re easily customizable, can be as high-tech as you need them to be, and they’re appropriate for a wide variety of use cases. 

With the proper mobile command center, police officers and first responders have the ability to host all of their necessary functions in a single area, all while being able to move throughout their community as needed.

As public safety technology and 911 Communications continue to evolve, the benefits for investing in a mobile command center are as compelling as ever.

Tags: Public Safety Communications

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When people talk about the emergency response system of tomorrow, the predictions are breathtaking: firefighting drones, human-operated robots, real-time 3-D simulations, and more.

Some of that may sound like science fiction—especially given the budgetary and resource concerns facing public safety organizations. But there are sound emergency communications investments that departments can make today to prepare for tomorrow.

Let’s take a look at ways that public safety organizations can prepare for the emergency response system of the future.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Next Generation Public Safety, Safety Solutions

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