The challenges that emergency services face in communicating, coordinating and sharing information in real time in major incident responses were once again highlighted by the recent report into the Manchester Arena bombing.
In previous high-profile incidents similar issues around inter-agency communication and coordination have been highlighted. These are always difficult and highly complex challenges which are affected by multiple evolving factors throughout an incident where every responder is doing their very best to protect life.
Digital technology has a significant role to play in addressing these problems and creating a platform to share information in real-time in a way that cuts through the ‘noise’ of data to let responders focus on the most critical priorities.
At Unblur we understand the need for a communication bridge between all the resources deployed on the incident ground and command centres. Our IRIS Tactics application provides real time situational awareness that can be shared across all responding agencies. GPS tracking delivers up to the second information on personnel and asset location across the incident ground.
IRIS tactics directs focus onto the priorities, starting with mapping and iconography to share hazard identification, casualty location and share risk assessments in a simple and easy-to-use format. It integrates with our IRIS Core incident management system to provide a JESIP dashboard to support quick and effective information sharing and decision-making while capturing everything as a decision log.
The recommendations from recent major incident enquiries demand that UK emergency services act quickly to find effective solutions. The digital technology that can deliver these solutions already exists, is proven and readily accessible for those organisations that are ready to implement their own digital evolution. It is time to ditch the analogue approach and embrace the digital tools that can provide the tools and support systems for the best possible outcomes.
