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Chicomm Blog

With today’s speed of information and tech-savvy civilians, social media is not a passing trend. And now more than ever, law enforcement and social media are coming together to keep people safe, informed and enlightened about the role of law enforcement in our society.

Here are the many benefits law enforcement officers across the country are gaining by tweeting, posting, and sharing; along with the challenges in social media they’re learning to overcome.

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

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When it comes keeping workers safe, especially those working alone, tools like the man down radio application are essential for ensuring quality and timely communication.

Once you’ve worked with one of your area’s trusted two way radio service providers to equip your personnel with radios, it’s time to activate the safety features for those who are on duty alone or who operate in isolated areas.

Motorola two-way radios are outfitted with various features intended to ensure worker safety and increase peace of mind, including the Man Down radio application and Lone Worker function. Here’s a closer look at both.

Tags: Safety Solutions

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The Benefits and Challenges of NG911

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Thursday, July 13, 2017

The promise of next generation 911, or NG911, is exciting: Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) will gain access to updated wireless communications technology – including text, video and enhanced location services – that bridges the gap between first responders and the communities who rely on them.

The 9-1-1 network has come a long way since it was created decades ago, but it still has far to go. Mark Fletcher does a good job of summarizing the progress of the 9-1-1 network in this article, where he writes “Today’s E911 network handles more than 240 million calls per year. But its archaic architecture of routing callers based on telephone numbers gets outmoded the more that technology advances.”

It was because of this problem with outdated emergency communications that the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) solution was developed, an evolving system that has had its own share of benefits and challenges over time.

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

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In both emergencies and daily life alike, updated communications systems are mission critical to saves lives, protect property and preserve communities. During natural disasters, large crime scenes or every day incidents, an effective emergency response system requires swift and reliable communications.

Public safety agencies and first responders rely on strong communications for today’s needs and as they prepare for the exciting future promise of Next Generation 9-1-1, or NG911, to catch up to consumer technology. All while they’re battling budgetary and resource constraints.

As technology continues to evolve, both in public safety and beyond, the importance of updated emergency communications equipment becomes even more clear.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Interoperability, Safety Solutions

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Most lists of workplace safety tips focus on the physical: proper posture, the importance of the right safety gear, the need to take regular breaks. But what about workplace safety that relates to communication, not just technology, but workers’ ability to effectively relate to each other?

A National Public Radio story recently relayed how Shell drastically improved worker safety on oil rigs in the 1990s by transforming rig culture with an unorthodox approach: They got workers to be vulnerable with each other by communicating more openly.

Through a series of intense and emotional sessions, oil rig workers were encouraged to open up to each other about their lives and struggles. That vulnerability led to more honest communication about a host of other things, which led to more opportunities to keep themselves safe. And it contributed to a lower accident rate and higher productivity.

Tags: Safety Solutions, Manufacturing, Healthcare

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Commercial alarm systems don’t just protect the safety and security of your staff and property, they’re an important investment in your peace of mind. The right alarm system can make all the difference when it comes to preventing, handling and reporting incidents.

When you’re choosing the right system for your business or property, keep in mind what level of sophistication and convenience you need. As you’re conducting your search for a commercial alarm system, here are some features to look for:

Tags: Technology, MOTOTRBO, Safety Solutions, Video Surveillance

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From college campuses to K-12 classrooms, schools across the country are tasked with improving student safety and staff communication, especially in the wake of an emergency or violent situation. However, a limited budget can make these improvements seem daunting (or even impossible) for administrations to make.

Before we dive in and explore some various communications solutions for schools, here are a few insights courtesy of Motorola Solutions to help you visualize this issue.

Tags: Motorola Solutions, Education, Safety Solutions

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The future of 9-1-1 communications is changing. The things that worked in the past have been sufficient but thanks to innovation and technology, there are now new opportunities to enhance the dynamic between the person reporting a public safety incident and the responder mediating the conversation. Cell phones and wireless connectivity are shaping up to be great contributors to the next generation of 9-1-1 operations.

While it may not be extremely evident yet, the incorporation of these new technologies in 9-1-1 responding has been evolving as peoples’ wireless usage changes. Next Generation 911 (NG911), will be a primary contributor to the new landscape of emergency reporting and response. Next Generation 9-1-1 pushes for the incorporation of wireless communication solutions to enhance public safety operations.

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

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As children, we were taught to call 9-1-1 whenever there is an emergency nearby. It is something that has been ingrained in us. We call them first for a reason: we expect them to help us, and help us quickly. But what if the police officer, firefighter or EMT paramedic was unable to respond to your crisis because they didn’t know how to get to your location? Thanks to GPS, we don't need to worry about that anymore.  

GPS (global positioning system) has taken the guesswork out of navigation and made directions immediately accessible. The accuracy of the system has made GPS an asset to military, stock market users and emergency responders. The atomic clock’s ability to be within a millisecond can provide this industry with the precision to make calculated decisions with confidence.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Safety Solutions, GPS

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Students heading off to college in the fall expect to be safe as they settle into their dorms and navigate their way through new campuses. With that expectation comes a need for colleges and universities to continually improve tactics for campus communucation, security and emergency response to ensure students remain safe during day-to-day activities, sporting events, and other school functions.

Tags: Two Way Radios, MOTOTRBO, Education, Safety Solutions, Digital Two-Way Radios

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