The Future of Public Safety Communications

摘要

The West Midlands Fire Service is the UK's second largest brigade. Alongside its existing radio communications, the WMFS will now also use short wave for communications with its specialist search and rescue teams, when responding to international emergencies. The WMFS and its team are part of the larger UK International Search and Rescue Team. UK ISAR is a group known for its global response to both natural and man-made disasters. The organisation is often called upon by governments in extreme situations. As many readers know, first responders to natural or man-made catastrophes often make use of HF radio communications when normal communications infrastructure has either been destroyed or disabled in the disaster. Except for the initial capital outlay, HF systems are, of course, independent of general infrastructure. They are also free to use with no airtime costs. Is this a 'first' for a fire service? The WMFS will, no doubt, use SSB mode on HF, which many upmarket scanners can receive.