Emergency Comm.

Case Study: MITOC

  • By Brian Dopp
  • Aug 04, 2008

Regardless of the scope and scale, when disaster strikes, first responders need a rapid and effective way to collect and communicate information in the early moments. For some agencies, it is a stop gap until back up arrives; for others it can be their only source of communication from the scene.

But traditional mobile command centers are financially out of reach for many agencies, which is a key reason why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security heavily invested in research to develop an affordable, portable solution.

That solution is MITOC™ (Man-Portable Interoperable Tactical Operations Center,) which offers a comprehensive communications platform for first responders in the early hours of an event. It can be a free standing solution or can be used as a link to more complex mobile command equipment as it arrives on scene for backup support or supplemental communications capabilities when needed.

MITOC's integrated suite of products are unique in that they're readily available on the commercial market. It's made up of interoperable voice, data, radio, and video technologies which are integrated so they work together. Because they are off the shelf components, the cost is considerably less than purchasing traditional mobile command centers hard-mounted in SUVs, buses, or trailers.

MITOC is one of the most cost effective communication solutions on the market due to the fact that R&D was conducted through a partnership between the University of Louisville, Murray State University's Center for Telecommunications Systems Management, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System first responder training program. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate, in cooperation with the National Institute for Hometown Security, provided a $1.1 million three-year research grant to develop and test the integrated components under real operating conditions. This allows MITOC to be offered commercially at a lower cost to agencies since the R&D was paid for by DHS.

MITOC components include:
•Integrated "family" of products – from an 8-user wearable system to a 36-user portable rack in a shock-mounted transit case.

•Cellular Data capabilities with optional redundancy for full-time low cost bandwidth.

•Satellite Data broadband capabilities as a back-up or supplement to the cellular data.

•Efficient energy use capable of receiving power from AC shore power, batteries, solar panels, inverters, and small generators.

•MESH Wireless Network using Rajant Breadcrumb® technology that can cover square miles, tunnels, and large buildings.

•Voice Over IP telephones that can bring in dial-tone from areas unaffected by a current disaster.

•Sensor integration and live feed monitoring to remote subject-matter experts.

Optional features and capabilities include:
• Additional Rajant Breadcrumb® portable access points extend the coverage of wireless areas

•Land mobile base radio module with interoperability matrix from the world's leading providers

•Remote weather station with plume modeling integration

•Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ground support capability with live video feeds from its own UAV at the scene

•Video applications; both streaming for situational awareness and videoconferencing

•Cellular repeater/amplifier system to boost weak signals or reach deep inside buildings up to 15,000 square feet

•A variety of land mobile robot systems

Prior to its release in the broad market, MITOC was put to the test in Kentucky by its research team, all first responders, with phenomenal results:

• For the Kentucky Derby from 2005 until 2008, security teams were charged with securing the public venue from weapons of mass destruction and providing real-time monitoring and tactical response readiness. MITOC enabled them to provide roving tactical teams and sensors secured wi-fi to the track facilities from half a mile away. It also provided real time weather and plume dispersion modeling, real time video surveillance and radio interoperability.

• When a barge wrecked on the Ohio River with hazardous materials on board, MITOC provided full EOC-like capabilities and provided crucial secured internet access to the Unified Command staff working out of the U.S. Coast Guard facilities, and allowing all of them to readily communicate with local and state EOC's during the incident. MITOC provided full EOC-like capabilities for more than 35 hours inside a structure and allowed a collaborative rapid response from multiple agencies.

• Following one of the nation's largest HAZMAT train derailments, MITOC provided secure wireless Internet access to ad hoc Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) for federal, state, and local agencies over two day period. MITOC's capabilities worked in tandem with the Kentucky Emergency Management's Mobile Command Center to provide data interoperability by bridging its wireless networks. MITOC also enabled federal agencies to be looped into the process.

MITOC is a solution whose time has come. It allows agencies of all sizes to have a low-cost, quickly deployable communication system readily available in the event of a crisis. For the many agencies that missed out on Homeland Security funding and didn't receive grants to purchase mobile command centers, MITOC provides a cost effective solution that meets their communication needs at a price they can afford.

Featured

  • UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

    UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now

  • ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

    The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.