Chicomm Blog

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.

While some of that may sound more like science fiction than a real possibility – especially given the budgetary and resource concerns facing public safety – 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 can prepare for the emergency response system of the future.

The development of the police phonetic alphabet and military phonetic alphabet demonstrate the widespread utility for public safety and government, particularly over two-way radios, but there are multiple uses for civilian situations, too.  

Here are some examples of how the international phonetic alphabet has taken off – in some cases, quite literally.

Like other forms of radio lingo such as 10 codes, the police phonetic alphabet grew out of a need for users to communicate quickly, clearly and without ambiguity.

The alphabet endures today not only because of its utility but because of its significant role in public safety culture – it’s hard to imagine officers communicating without it.

Let’s take a quick look at the history of the police phonetic alphabet and its role in public safety.

In the not too distant past, administrators and educators didn't have to worry about things like connecting students and teachers to school WiFi – school supplies came in boxes and filmstrips were considered high-tech. 

When computers and other technology did initially become available, they were shared by students, teachers and administrators alike in group computer labs, and getting time on a computer was a challenge.

Today, of course, it’s hard to imagine educational settings without individual access to computers, tablets, laptops and lightning fast school WiFi. It’s worth taking a closer look at the critical role technology in schools plays, from school safety to campus communication, and how your campus can stay connected.

It’s almost impossible to imagine a successful disaster response operation without two-way radios. Radios are the lifeline of emergency communications, ensuring seamless connections, instant updates and collaboration, as well as unmatched reliability during times when cell phone towers can become overloaded.

Two-way radios, through both internal features and functionality as well as applications and accessories, bolster first responder communications for everyday use and during disasters.

Let’s take a closer look at the critical role of two-way radios in disaster response with an overview of the attributes that make them indispensable.

The phonetic alphabet, or spelling alphabet, is one of the most universally recognized pieces of two-way radio lingo, and its history reveals a lot about the evolution of wireless technology and international cooperation.

If you’ve ever had to spell, then respell, then spell again a series of letters over a phone or two-way radio, you can understand why the spelling alphabet was developed. Many letters sound the same, and rather than risk miscommunication during mission critical transmissions and wartime broadcasts, officials adopted a universal set of words to represent letters.

For those of you curious about the history and usage over time, here’s a rundown of the Alpha Bravo Charlies (ABCs) of the two-way radio alphabet.

NATO Alphabet

In general, when people talk about spelling alphabets, they’re referring to the NATO alphabet, considered the international phonetic alphabet, that took effect starting in 1956. Because NATO allies led the effort for one universal standard, the alphabet was nicknamed after the organization.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by reaching the end of your analog two-way radio range, you’re familiar with the phenomenon of having it go from solid audio to going, going…gone.

Better range – along with more forgiving notice that you’re about to leave the coverage area  – is one reason to make the switch from analog to digital two-way radios.

Here’s a look at how to improve two-way radio range – and more ­– by switching to digital. 

Now that you’ve drastically improved your in-building connectivity and you’re feeling confident about the strength of your wireless network, it’s time to tackle the next frontier: how to extend WiFi range outdoors.

Hotel and resort guests, students, mobile workers and anyone else on the go is increasingly looking for opportunities to stay connected, even near the pool, on the campus commons or out on the dock.

With your constantly connected users in mind, here’s a quick overview of how to extend WiFi range outdoors.