Telstra understands that Public Safety organisations need superior information and communication technology at their fingertips to deliver their services to the Australian community, or to an individual in crisis. ICT underpins Public Safety operations and command and control systems. Telstra recognises that communications are the lifeblood of any Public Safety agency. When the seconds count, Public Safety personnel need technology that just works.
Telstra delivers this technology- reliable, available and secure.
Today, Public Safety agencies are facing increasing pressures to maintain community safety and security. Furthermore the challenges they must meet including global terrorism threats, extreme natural events and the changing demograpgy associated with an ageing population, continue to mount.
Global Climate Change not only impacts the natural environment but potentially the community and individual as well. With a likely increase in the severity of natural disasters including Cyclones, Bush Fires, and Storms, Public Safety agencies must be prepared to quickly respond to assist communities and individuals in need. Public Safety agencies are seeking improvements in command and control capability, information dissemination and situational awareness for major incidents, significant public events and disasters - natural and manmade.
The events of 11 September, 2001 in New York City forever changed the world’s security environment. The Bali Bombings highlighted that Australia and its people were a potential target of a terrorist incident. Australia must be forever vigilant in the protection of its society and its people. Public Safety organisations play a pivotal role in the safety and security of all Australians. In Telstra’s view, as the 21st century unfolds, secure, integrated and cutting edge telecommunications will become the cornerstone for ensuring public safety.
Finally, Australia’s ageing population will create a need for Public Safety agencies to enhance pre-hospital care and associated Health services. Timely provision of patient and incident-specific information can only serve to improve field response, incident management and overall operational capability.
Public Safety Ecosystem
Telstra also understands the Public Safety agencies do not operate in isolation. Rather, Public Safety agencies are part of broader eco-systems responsible for the delivery of services to the Australian community including Health and Justice.
The Justice ecosystem comprises the police services, attorney generals and respective judicial services, for example the courts, and correctional institutions. The Health ecosystem incorporates the ambulance services which provide pre-hospital care, while the Emergency Services ecosystem includes the police, ambulance, fire (urban and rural), and state emergency services.
Police, ambulance, fire and emergency service agencies look to ICT to provide them with the necessary advantages they need to provide coordinated, efficient and cost-effective services. As recognition grows that advanced technology and improved communication are the key to helping meet higher public expectations, they are turning to Telstra to assist in more coordinated, efficient and cost-effective service delivery.
Public Safety Professionals
The Public Safety environment encompasses Australia’s police, ambulance, fire, emergency, judicial, and correctional services, and other related law enforcement and emergency services agencies. The Public Safety domain is large and complex and comprises a broad range of professions including legal, medical, law enforcement, and judicial officers.
Public Safety professionals are dedicated to:
- Protecting and saving lives;
- Protecting property;
- Protecting the natural environment; and
- Building a safer community.
“Operational failure is not an option”
Public Safety Wireless Solutions
Telstra Next G™ wireless technology offers quantum advances for Public Safety agencies. Public Safety agencies are highly mobile in the delivery of their services to the community. The Telstra Next G™ wireless network provides great opportunities for Public Safety agencies including:
- Enhanced operational service delivery through improved information access;
- Enhanced communication in the field between field units and operations centres;
- Improved situational awareness, in-vehicle surveillance, and remote event management;
- Improved cross-border communication capability between all agencies on a national basis; and
- IP convergence and integrated communications across all security and public safety agencies on a state-wide basis.
As an illustration, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is utilising the Telstra Next G™ wireless network to enhance their capability to ensure the safety of the community and fire officers. The Telstra Next G™ wireless network allows the latest information from the fire front to be transmitted directly to the Fire Operations Centre, even extending to aerial assets such as helicopters. This new innovation allows for improved information dissemination, situational awareness and incident management.
Public Safety Advanced Industry Solutions
Telstra provides a range of Public Safety Industry Solutions including the Telstra’s Vehicle Access Network (VAN) which has been developed for the Public Safety agencies. An integrated in-vehicle IP hub provides access to a range of wireless voice and data services that include video streaming from vehicles. It enables Command Centre viewing and ensures that public safety officers are constantly contactable, even when remote from their vehicles, and have more timely access to databases.
Learn more about Telstra’s Public Safety Advanced Solutions
Telstra is a proud sponsor of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International. See http://www.apcoaust.com.au/ for more details.
