The Incident Management Platform is a new and innovative end-to-end service for the Emergency Responder Community. Information is compiled from existing communications, sensor and data networks to produce a single cohesive view of an incident.
The information can then be disseminated in real-time across the entire responder community over a resilient network.
Overview of the service
The Incident Management Platform is designed to make the process of sharing and using key pieces of data easier and more efficient. The service enables agencies to work together more effectively, reducing the time taken to close an incident. It increases the safety of responder personnel, limits the impact of the incident on the environment and the people involved.
The service is able to pull information from all sources relevant to the scene, irrespective of who owns the equipment (CCTV, mapping, voice reports etc) and compiles it into a single view. The result is a common picture displaying the location of the incident, the position of the assets involved, the proximity of hazards and associated cordons. Relevant parts of the view are available to decision-makers at all levels within all the agencies involved in the operation. It enhances their ability to make the right decision and successfully collaborate with one another.
The Incident Management Platform can incorporate existing command vehicles and command centres, with data fed out to remote user devices such as ruggedised lap-tops and iPads. The same information can be viewed at the scene itself, in the single-unit command centre nearby or within the remote multi-agency command centre. The Incident Management Platform provides commanders at all levels with real-time relevant information, supporting their critical decision making and making incident resolution quicker and more efficient.
Benefits and service features
Your existing assets are optimised: your ability to plan, brief, co-ordinate and close-out incidents from a single location is enhanced. The Incident Management Platform integrates your existing communication, surveillance, command and control data, as well as geo-information systems, allowing fixed and mobile locations to be briefed simultaneously and securely through a common interface. Your sensors will be integrated: the outputs from a wide range of your existing TCP / IP based sensors, as well as any additional sensors you may require, are combined to enhance your situational awareness and ability to plan your response. Information targeting is improved: views from the common operating picture can be disseminated to any member of the responder community. From Commanders working with colleagues from other Gold Command Centre agencies, who require a strategic view of the incident, to personnel actively engaged at the scene, who require detailed information about the buildings, personnel and immediate hazards.
Protected by secure and resilient communication links: your ability to communicate with responder colleagues is protected by a dedicated GSM node and encrypted satellite links, which maintain communications when terrestrial networks are saturated or fail. Your information is secured and assured as it moves around the network, regardless of its protective marking. Data from more sources: additional sensors designed to feed back images from challenging environments (such as body-worn cameras, tri-pod mounted ground cameras and specialist Aerial Ladder Platform cameras) can be provided by Astrium, to enhance the common picture. You have access to more information: an advanced Gazetteer search engine as well as assured and integrated access to relevant online resources (for instance the Meteorological Office’s FireMet and CHEMET databases) will help ensure that you consider every relevant factor as you look to resolve incidents.
Network management: the network is dynamically managed to ensure the service is always available. Your data will be managed: a remote Data Management Centre (DMC) securely and resiliently stores our sensitive information, sending it to relevant participants as required. Usage is controlled and monitored: use of the system by individuals is configurable and controlled using 2-factor authentication. Usage is tracked and logged, with management reports available if required. Archiving your decisions: each version of the whole picture is recorded, together with each act of data analysis and manipulation – data and records of decisions made can be retrieved at a later date for assessment and evidential requirements. Making your integrated service happen: all installation and integration work is carried out as part of the service offering. Training you and your team: ‘Train-the-trainer’ instruction is provided for selected personnel on how to use the service, which is both simple and intuitive. Maintaining your service: the service includes regular preplanned maintenance activities. Remote and on-site technical support is also included, in the event of an unplanned fault.