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Author: ageena

How the Push for Inclusive Emergency Communications is Driving Technological Breakthroughs

March 20, 2024 Amy Leete Access to emergency services

While disability affects a high proportion of the population, accessible emergency services are not available to all. But new technology is turning the tide – ushering in a new wave of services that are making emergency responses faster, easier, and more efficient.

Beyond the Reporting Deadline: Shifting Focus to Monitoring and Enforcement of Emergency Caller Location Accuracy and Reliability

March 5, 2024 Freddie McBride Uncategorized

Today, 5 March 2024, marks the deadline for EU Member States to report to the European Commission on criteria adopted at national level for the accuracy and reliability of caller location information for emergency communications from landlines and mobile phones. With the box now ticked on this reporting obligation, the focus shifts to the monitoring and enforcement of these crucial standards.

A Case Study of Accessibility: 999BSL

February 13, 2024 Katie Hanson Access to emergency services

In this blog, Katie Hanson, Senior Consumer Affairs Manager at Ofcom UK, explains 999BSL – a service introduced in 2022 that allows deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users to access emergency services in their first language. How does 999BSL work, and what was the process of consulting sign language users to ensure the service met their needs? What are the key requirements for 999BSL and how does it ensure equivalent access? What were the challenges, and how did the service overcome these? Find out more below.

The Digitalisation of Emergency Services: A Journey to Efficiency and Safety

January 23, 2024 Alfonso Zamarro Emergency call centre operations

This blog will explore how best to understand digitalisation, the role it can play in Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and emergency services, and how best to exploit its potential.

Look to the Stars: Satellites and the Future for Emergency Communication

January 4, 2024 Amy Leete Public warning

It has already been proven that early warning systems significantly reduce the cost, and human loss of life, caused by natural hazards and disasters. But there is a growing problem that can render both sirens and traditional telecommunication methods ineffective: when a natural disaster destroys the physical infrastructure.

The Road to VoLTE Emergency Calling: Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges

December 20, 2023 Ciaran Moynihan Access to emergency services

The commercial and regulatory drive to roll out 4G/5G networks is generally welcomed by all stakeholders. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) can increase network capacity by refarming valuable spectrum from "legacy" 2G and 3G network services to facilitate the provision of more enhanced services to their customers while regulators and authorities will be pleased to see faster speeds, better connectivity, and more enhanced and flexible communication services available to the public.

Cybersecurity in PSAPs – More security through the separation of networks

December 5, 2023 Henning Schmidtpott Cybersecurity

This blogpost is intended to help minimize the impact of a cyber attack. First, the process of a typical attack is shown. We then explain what the separation of networks means in theory. Finally, concrete practical measures are shown on how networks can be separated sensibly.

Enhancing resilience to cybersecurity events through citizen engagement

November 7, 2023 Alexandra Olson Uncategorized

. Iker Legardon and Iñaki Gangoiti, police officers in the Basque Country, and John Rincón, a researcher involved in the EU-funded ENGAGE project from TECNUN- University of Navarra, spoke with Alexandra Olson, EENA’s EU Projects Officer, about the awareness campaigns that have been carried out as a part of a validation exercise of the project.

Where Are We… With Accessibility?

October 24, 2023 Amy Leete Access to emergency services

With at least 650 million people with disabilities worldwide, and 100 million people with disabilities in the European Union alone, accessibility matters. So why is it that most emergency services can still only be reached via voice call? With EU legislation deadlines looming, let’s explore the obstacles – and solutions – for accessible emergency communications.

AI in Public Safety: the Future for Emergency Services?

September 28, 2023 Amy Leete Artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are showing outstanding potential across emergency service responses, from routing ambulances through traffic to identifying important background information on calls.