Mobile Data System Allows Information Sharing Between Police, Fire Personnel In Iowa Town

BIO-key International Inc. recently announced a new-customer contract award from the City of Dubuque (Iowa) Fire Department for MobileRescue, BIO-key's wireless messaging and data exchange solution for fire and emergency response.

By using MobileRescue, Dubuque's Fire Department personnel are now better able to track, deploy and manage resources using laptops -- installed in the agency's ambulances and command vehicles -- as well as desktop computers used by shift commanders. MobileRescue also allows Dubuque County's 911 Center to quickly and efficiently dispatch fire apparatus and rescue units to incidents and to communicate with responders while en route and on scene.

"Dispatchers love it," said Assistant Fire Chief Rick Steines. "With MobileRescue's interface to the county's computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, they know the current status of every unit. Additionally they're not tying up our tactical voice radio channels sending address and other information, which is now available to the responder on their screen."

A key factor behind Dubuque's selection of BIO-key's MobileRescue was that the solution enables the city's fire and rescue agencies to communicate with its police officers who also respond to most calls for service. Dubuque's Police Department has been a user of MobileCop, BIO-key's wireless law enforcement messaging and query solution, since 1994. Now all City fire, rescue and police personnel can share information with each other silently and securely to respond to an emergency call.

"Many jurisdictions that use MobileCop for law enforcement have discovered that adding MobileRescue for their fire and rescue agencies typically improves the efficiency and effectiveness of their first responders," said Michael DePasquale, president and CEO of BIO-key. "Deploying both solutions ultimately reduces ongoing IT support costs, generates additional savings in initial training and enables inter-agency information sharing while giving each department its own solution specifically designed to meet its unique needs."

Featured

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.