Hack Tech for Public Safety
Seems like just a few years ago when we were excited to download the latest mobile phone application that promised to solve many of life’s annoyances. Although that excitement remains for some people, we have rapidly transitioned into the expansion of connected hardware devices that magnify the capability of those innovative apps.
The Internet of things is upon us and we have installed our Nest thermostat, @Ring doorbell, or other Wi-Fi enabled hardware to keep our world safe, efficient, and productive. Many of these new wireless items have an application in the homeland security environment and can help to make the work of emergency responders much more effective. Unfortunately, the disaster or emergency incident scene cannot provide the same level of Wi-Fi service that is in your favorite local coffee shop. This lack of available connectivity means these devices are out of the responder’s tool kit.
Fear not! More Bluetooth enabled hardware devices are hitting the market and they offer an expansion of the technology available to public safety personnel. These consumer oriented products are designed to work in tandem with an iPhone or Android based mobile device adding functionality to the mobile phone and harnessing its power as a technology platform. Two devices are proving valuable for the emergency response community and are worth a closer look, Tile and goTenna (@goTenna).
Tile (www.thetileapp.com)
This small square tag is just the solution for your lost keys, pet, or bicycle. Designed to be easily attached to just about anything you would not like to lose, Tile works in tandem with a software application and provides the user with the location of their missing item. Priced around $25 each, the device is nice for public safety agency budgets and no one is too upset if your firefighters smash it with an axe. How can Tile work in the public safety environment? Consider the following application.
Locating Emergency Response Equipment — Yes, there are times that emergency response tools and equipment fail to return to their proper unit or duty station. Fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel rely on a variety of tackle to perform their duties and the demanding nature of these professions causes items to occasionally be misplaced. Emergency medical equipment can be left behind at a patient’s residence and determining the last known location may be a challenge. Theft is also a problem if vehicles are unsecured or personnel turn their back for just a few moments. Many of these items are expensive or contain items, such as medications, that are not for the general public. Therefore, a solution to finding lost or stolen items is a great tool for public safety personnel.
Tile offers a Bluetooth connected location device that helps you find missing items while in close proximity to your mobile device. If needed, it will provide you with an audible alert so you can seek out keys, radios, or other small items. But the true value for responders is to locate missing EMS bags and other valuable items that may be lost or stolen. A feature within the Tile app will notify other users in their community that the item is missing. When a Tile user with an active app is in the range of the device it will provide them with an alert that the item is near and also send location information to the owner of the property. No, it is not a real time GPS solution, but it is affordable and effective. (www.thetileapp.com/community-find)
goTenna (www.gotenna.com)
Emergency responders understand that technology is nice to have, but they also expect that it can fail at the most inopportune time. Having a backup plan is always a good idea and the goTenna may be that tool to fill that need. The goTenna radio and antenna is stylish and offers what is essentially a small local area network among the attached mobile devices. Originally designed for the wilderness adventurer, when used in conjunction with the phone application, this Bluetooth device allows the two or more goTenna equipped individuals the ability to communicate via text message and locate each other on a downloaded map set. With an urban range of a mile or so, longer in open areas, it offers a unique opportunity for uses in the disaster, search and rescue, or wildland fire.
The goTenna is not a GPS tracker. However, it could easily be used to relay crew or geographic location data to the Incident Command Post or among other teams working in close proximity. Need to maintain radio silence? goTenna can offer teams the ability to communicate mission critical information via a private local network. Want to plot a fire line with a recon team? Send the goTenna out with the crew and monitor their location via the mapping system.
This bit of kit will cost you $199 for two goTenna devices and there are price breaks available for bundles. For the agency that has some cash to spare it may be worth the investment in order to support operations and rapidly assess the situation.
Whether it is finding lost people of lost equipment, these products are just two examples of the many items designed for consumers that can also provide a supporting role on the emergency scene. Next time you notice the latest @GoPro camera, pocket drone, or other cool new device on the shelf, let the early adopter in you come out. Take a moment to think about the innovative ways that you can hack consumer goods for your department’s mission and benefit the communities you serve.
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