Chicomm Blog

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:

Every year, it seems that the communications needs of companies and organizations evolve. Sure, the general needs are fairly consistent - reliable and secure communication, ensuring the safety of students/guests/patients, etc. - but goals evolve, and so do challenges.

This post is a quick look at four of the most common communications challenges that organizations across the country encounter on a daily basis. These aren’t industry-specific, as they relate on some level to multiple industries. For more information on how your organization can overcome these challenges, you can download our free eBook, the Wireless Communication Survival Guide.

Here are four of the most common communication challenges:

You’re an IT or system administrator in, say, healthcare, business, hospitality, or education. You have a good two-way radio system, and everything seems to be going okay, but you want to do your due diligence. You want to check how well your system is operating before anything goes wrong. To understand how it’s being used and where the choke points might be. You want data—and the ability to analyze and use that information to maintain and improve your radio system.

Are there areas in your buildings that are dead zones for communication?

Do you have multiple buildings or campuses to communicate between?

Do your old radios or phone system give out on you just when you need them the most?

As more districts are discovering every day, two-way radios in K-12 schools are the centerpiece of any effective safety plan.

Radios outpace cell phones in terms of reliability, durability, and functionality, and there are tailored radio solutions available regardless of the communications challenges schools and districts face.

This safety guide with case studies provides a comprehensive overview of two-way radios in K-12 schools and the options available for overcoming infrastructure, geographic and logistical issues.  

Most golf outings provide a chance for golfers to connect with the ball, with nature, and with each other. The goal is to relax and unwind from the stresses of the workweek, right?

Part of what makes golf relaxing is the competent and invisible work of the folks who keep the courses running smoothly.

Now that you’ve decided that two-way radios are the right communications solution for your organization, what are the next steps for getting your purchase started?

Whether you are purchasing two-way radios for the first time or upgrading equipment, there are a lot of options at different price points to consider. As a first step, we recommend starting a conversation with one of our experts so they can help you buy two-way radios that are the best fit for your particular situation.

Hospitals are dynamic, unpredictable environments. And communication systems have always been critical for them to function efficiently and smoothly. 

Since the COVID‑19 pandemic overwhelmed hospitals around the country, these life‑or‑death situations are even more common. Communication has become ever more complex, with crowded hospitals and the need to screen visitors and patients for signs of the virus.

It seems like every few days we see some report of a breach in data security, leaving customers’ private and financial information exposed and vulnerable. The biggest one on record so far was the 2013 Yahoo breach that affected 3 billion (!) accounts. Even worse, it took three years for Yahoo to publicly announce the breach.

When it comes to secure communications, two‑way radios have an edge over cellphones. But hacking is an unfortunate reality in today’s world, as the online world has experienced some high‑level attacks by experienced hackers (Think Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, NASA). Because of these dangers, public safety departments using two‑way radios need to be aware of the dangers of hacking — and learn how to avoid it.