Public Safety Networks: Keys To Success

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

           

Firetide Inc., Los Gatos, Calif., a developer of wireless mesh networks, has deployed many wireless public safety networks in 2006 and 2007.

They list the following factors in the success of these projects:

• Draw from multiple sources of funding

  Investigate various sources of funding, which may be available from departmental budgets, Homeland security grants and even private grants. Additionally, a public safety network can be securely augmented to provide more services such as public Internet access and Voice-over-IP.

• Address privacy concerns head-on

  For overt surveillance, adopt written surveillance guidelines and ensure personnel are properly trained. Inform affected constituencies — residents, businesses and media — ahead of time; open communications and public demonstrations are well received. For covert surveillance, reassure the public and the media that the surveillance is conducted strictly within the law.

• Anticipate staffing and training needs

  Police personnel need training on the new monitoring technology — for example, remote camera management or mastering the video management software. Learning curves may vary, so allow for this in the training process. For large surveillance projects, a creative approach is to hire retired police personnel who may be interested in working part-time in the monitoring room.

• Partner for success

  Seek out system integrators and suppliers who are comfortable with wireless and IP technologies and who will support the project. Interagency cooperation is also essential for rapid deployment.

• Consider the total infrastructure

  Identify the backhaul options — how you will connect the wireless mesh to the monitoring station — early in the planning stages. Wired and wireless are both viable options; backhaul can be dedicated or shared with other local government applications.

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