IWCE Virtual Day One - 9-1-1 Location Accuracy Takes Center StageTuesday Features a Packed In-Building AgendaPosted on August 24, 2020By John Foley, Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition IWCE Virtual had a strong start today, featuring a packed schedule of keynote speakers, conference sessions, open sessions, and plenty of networking on their new virtual platform. Two highlights of the day were the Keynote by Chief Jeff Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, and an expert panel entitled Location-Based Services - Possibilities, Privacy and More, moderated by Ken Rehbehn of Omdia. The platform worked very well, and the Safer Buildings Coalition is excited to host three panel discussions and a VIP Roundtable in Tuesday's Session. Throughout the event, SBC Leadership is available in the Exhibit Hall section of the event, and available to schedule one-on-one 20 minute meetings.
LTE's Role in Public SafetyJeff Johnson laid out the future of Public Safety Communications in his 30-minute keynote. He pointed out the similarities of 9-1-1 callers needing to call for help from inside buildings, to First Responders needing to remain in contact through each incident. "What we're seeing with LTE is it's proving itself to work. And if you can weave together Public Safety's need for reliability and coverage, and in-building penetration, and reliability. Then, what technology, it is tends to be moot", said Johnson. "We have to get the call, and then have the ability to communicate on our way to the call so you can quickly see that there's no way to disentangle the conversation about LTE, and LMR. There is no question in my view that LTE is the future. When it happens? Here's when it happens."
"Public Safety will switch to LTE exclusively the day some Lieutenant in a fire station says to his Battalion Chief, when he says “Why do I carry two devices when all I ever use is my LTE device?” That's when it changes. It isn't when you technically match requirements, it isn't anything else. It's when the people that use the tool insist on this tool. Because at the end of the day, we can't fail." Chief Johnson also gave a shout out to the Safer Buildings Coalition while highlighting the need for 9-1-1 in-building location accuracy. "I also want to thank the Safer Buildings Coalition for their work on improving in-building communications", said Johnson, "because at the end of the day if your tool works sometimes, you quit using it. If your car only starts every third time you get a different car. So, we can't have our tools stop working as we enter a building, it's just not functional." "So, in-building coverage is important. And, and we have to continue to improve in building coverage and we have to frankly continue our work on the z axis. The z axis, the vertical axis, knowing what floor police officer paramedic or firefighter are on, that is in fact the holy grail of what we're trying to do here. When, as an incident commander, I hear over the radio Mayday Mayday Mayday, I've fallen through the floor. I have got to know where those crews are, I've got to know where to send the RIC team to get them. Getting that floor right getting the left and right access before they are getting that right is paramount for public safety. It creates for the first time, true situational awareness." Location-Based Services - Possibilities, Privacy and MoreThe 3 PM ET slot featured location accuracy experts Kevin Kay, Director of State and Local Programs for NAPSG, Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS, and Susan Metcalfe, Partner, Potomac Law Group. The session was moderated by Ken Rehbehn, Directing Analyst, Critical Communications for Omdia. The group explored location accuracy from a technical, regulatory, financial and legal persepctive. Safer Buildings Coalition IWCE Virtual Line-up for Tuesday, August 25Check out what we have in store for IWCE:
Public Safety DAS – Focus on Network Infrastructure
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Measuring Indoor Radio Coverage: Ensuring NFPA Code Compliance and Addressing Interference
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Panelist Feel Safe Inside: Solving for Wireless Dead Zones in our Schools and Universities
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Additionally, SBC Managing Director John Foley will take part in the VIP Roundtable: In-Building Wireless session Tuesday morning at 10am.
For more information about the IWCE Virtual conference, please visit the IWCE website: https://www.iwceexpo.com/iwce20/public/Enter.aspx
We are also manning our virtual booth at the IWCE exhibit floor throughout the event, so please drop in for a chat.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at IWCE Virtual.
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