How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

Technical Whitepaper

Revolutionising firefighting and rescue through technological convergence -Empower smart firefighters of the future with "knowledge is power"

Jan 2023

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 3 2 CPS enables the evolution of fire service towards smart firefighting and rescue ................................. 5 3 Next-gen mission-critical communications support transformation of smart firefighting and rescue . 6 4 The essential communication stages throughout an incident response process .................................. 8 5 The development of a communication framework for converging three-level networks .................... 10 6 The holistic convergence communication solution uniquely supports smart firefighting for all disaster and emergency responses ................................................................................................... 13 7 e-fusion, a next generation of the field communications solution ..................................................... 15 7.1 e-Fusion, a leading field communication solution, is set to establish robust LAN and PAN ... 15 7.2 The e-Fusion-compact solution supports small teams in responding to typical structure fires quickly and efficiently .................................................................................................................... 17 7.3 The e-Fusion solution empowers comprehensive cooperation among multi-disciplinary during large-scale disasters .......................................................................................................... 18 8 How does Hytera communication solution support smart firefighting and rescue ..................... 21 8.1 Responding to a typical structure fire ................................................................................ 21 8.2 Responding to Large-scale natural disasters .................................................................... 23 9 Use case: Harness next-gen MC communications systems to transform fire services in China .......... 26 10 About the author ...................................................................................................................... 29

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

1

Executive Summary

It is an era of such a hybrid network environment we are entering. Like the vast majority of other industries, we need to use a technologies convergence approach to address the most challenges encountered in firefighting communication. The experts at Hytera develop a comprehensive convergence solution for next-gen mission-critical communication through a holistic framework to embrace the concept of cyber-physical systems (CPS). Our goal is to help fire departments to address their challenges and transform voice-dominated operations into smart firefighting of the future. With decades of industryleading expertise, we help our customers exploit current and emerging technology. With the recent innovation of the convergence ecosystem, we leverage our extensive research and initiatives and provide resilient, seamless, interoperable communication solutions to help our customers accelerate the transformation while keeping firefighters connected and safe all the time. Firefighters operate under highly harsh, hazardous and unpredictable conditions. As a result, they face some of the biggest challenges and dangers on the planet day-to-day in keeping people safe from emergencies. In addition, firefighters must use different tactics in various scenarios as they face a wide range of disasters, including fires in cities, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, storms, environmental hazards and much more. Incidents are hard to predict, safety and timely response are paramount, and firefighters must rely on reliable and fast communication and informed decisions. It only can be achieved by embracing technologies through a comprehensive and flexible approach, which can be a difference between success and failure, life and death. As we turn to insights into the future, beyond continuing the digitisation of radios and the upgrade of equipment and fire apparatus, professionals have been exploiting emerging technologies and developing new approaches to revolutionise fire services. These initiatives will undoubtedly facilitate the paradigm shift from traditional and experiential-based firefighting to datadriven smart firefighting by harnessing cyber-physical systems (CPS) and next-gen MC communications. With best practices, industry insight, and research in this sector, we demystify how to rest assured firefighters get through their communication anywhere and how to enable smart firefighting by harnessing the power of data through our proposed systematic approaches. Drawing on the convergence innovation ecosystem, We elaborate on a converged communication system fusing isolated networks, physical operation, computation and IoT sensors. By seamlessly combining three main subnetworks of WAN, LAN and PAN, and featuring a wide range of fire industry-specific functionalities as a standard inclusion, the holistic communications systems are uniquely capable of forming an integral part of CPS in the fire sector. Through reliable, resilient, robust, secure, high-performing and fully interoperable connectivity, the solution will unleash the enormous potential of this profound shift, empowering firefighters with "knowledge is power", and achieving the objectives of smart firefighting of the future. The following aspects, among many functionalities, differentiate our focus from others in keeping firefighters connected and safe and taking fire communications into the future, harnessing the power of our convergence innovation. ⚫

Enhance voice-only communications by adding broadband capability with LTE and 5G, delivering mission-critical PTToC, incorporating smart sensors, and accessing critical information through new converged smart devices.

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

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⚫

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With new powerful platforms with software suit, address the broad-scale implementation of interoperability and compatibility among vertical systems by different roles to support seamless cooperation and deliver optimal response with real-time information sharing. With deployed on a vehicle, a boat, a trailer, an aircraft, and a backpack, e-Fusion quickly and flexibly establish tactical communications on fire ground via hybridised networks, including DMO, e-pack, Mesh, deployable LTE, Wi-Fi, satellite and aerial. It is crucial to ensure firefighters the continuity of service through highly available communication, reliable fallback features, and robust data transmission when fighting a fire on the scene. Especially when faced with "new extreme events", the future-proof solution converging hybrid networks, including PMR, LTE/5G, e-Fusion and more, ensures the creation of high-resilience wireless networks and the delivery of next-gen MC communication. As a result, end users benefit from the most valuable features: seamless mobility without disrupting their attention and roaming between two MNOs with improved resiliency.

With those unique capabilities specific to the industry, the solution has been at the forefront in supporting fire departments and other emergency agencies with better safety of firefighters and broader cooperation among responders, improving operational efficiency and effectiveness with enhanced situational and incident awareness. Specialising in a wide range of wireless technologies, fully interoperable communications, customised connectivity tools, and unified dispatch and cloud platforms, Hytera has been serving many of the most vital organisations for over decades. As a result, our products and solutions have gained widespread trust from police, fire, emergency management and other public agencies, physical security organisations, and industrial enterprises across the globe, helping them better plan their response and be ready for the unexpected. In this whitepaper, you will see and learn: 1. 2.

3.

4. 5.

Highlights ongoing and future challenges in firefighting include lacking complete, real-time data, information and knowledge and limited communication links and sensors. Review the concept of smart firefighting transformation demonstrating the great promise to enhance efficiency and effectiveness with duties handled by firefighters and improve the safety and health of the high-risk profession. Perceive the priorities to address communications requirements and focus on developing systematical connectivity approaches to work with cyber-physical systems (CPS) in support of data gathering data, processing data, use of data and MC communications, leading to data-driven decision-making. Explain how we help customers design, organise and create next-gen MC systems through our innovation to address their issues and enhance firefighting beyond any other solutions. Lastly, the approaches and solutions are well-proven through a number of successful use cases and best practices, including in China fire and rescue.

In this document, we provide insights on approaching the best future MC systems and our innovative initiatives for particular fire operations, helping re-examine your organisation's transformation strategies on future-proofing your network to withstand the challenges appropriately. With the right technologies, innovation and processes in place, our solutions will enable you to reshape and evolve your MC communications and gradually achieve smart firefighting and rescue, ensuring your 4

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

communications system is poised to save lives and protect your teams. We also look forward to continuing to meet your requirements in the future. Thank you for your reading Edward Zhang Director of Hytera global marketing, solution and professional service

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CPS enables the evolution of fire service towards smart firefighting and rescue

Fire and rescue services play a crucial role in making society safer. Go beyond fighting a structural fire, firefighters respond to a wide variety of emergencies, including wildland/bush fires, structural collapse, search and technical rescue, animal rescues, natural disaster rescue, maritime and aircraft rescue, road accidents, and emergency medical assistance. Firefighting is dangerous and has unique challenges. The fireground can be chaotic, with dynamically changing conditions, which is hard to predict. Fire losses worldwide remain high, and natural disasters have grown in size and number. During the past 50 years, the number of recorded natural disasters worldwide, such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes, has surged nearly five-fold, causing extensive damage. In addition, firefighters are confronted with "new extreme events" with increased complexity and diversity and need to take new initiatives to protect people from these growing threats: synthetic materials enable indoor fires to produce more toxic smoke and fumes and put people in much more danger; overoccupancy in the city increases the potential frequency of fire incidents and dramatically increases the life hazard; grass fires can spread very quickly, while forest fire can become a raging inferno firestorm in a matter of an hour which is highly destructive and can cause severe damage and loss of life; rescue and research usually operate across less-populated large and remote areas as a disaster like an earthquake can occur everywhere and affect a large number of people. Swiftly and effectively responding to emergencies can mean a difference between the death and life of civilians, villages, firefighters and other emergency responders. The losses can be reduced, and safety and health can be improved through exploiting new technologies along with the introduction of new types of systems called Cyber-physical systems (CPS), which have been deployed in a number of domains, such as manufacturing, resulting in improved productivity, efficiency, prediction, and resilience, which commonly refers to the fourth industrial revolution transforming from industry 1.0 since 1784 as depicted in the following diagram. The CPS can lead to analogous advantages for fire protection and fighting and rescue, here referring to smart fire fighting, aiming to help fire departments transform traditional fire prevention and fighting towards the following vision: save lives and minimise injuries and loss; improve firefighter occupational health and safety; enhance the overall operational efficiency of the fire and rescue service and the effectiveness of prevention, protection and response.

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

The framework for smart firefighting covers all areas of firefighting engineering and all phases of fire services: pre-incident, during-incident, and post-incident. Through the fusion of emerging IoT sensors, computing technologies and advanced communication systems and the use of a wide array of real-time data from the community, building, wildland, firefighters, equipment, and fire apparatus, and information from the cloud-based database, CPS will revolutionise fire services by fully exploiting the power of data, enabling enhanced situational awareness of the fireground, better predictions of likely evolution of incidents and better-informed decisions by collecting the data globally, processing the information centrally, and distributing the results locally.

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Next-gen mission-critical communications support the transformation of smart firefighting and rescue Isolated desperate systems

Convergence

Voice dispatch

PMR

LTE PMR

Evolution

Fire fighter

D2D

Voice, location and SDS

Emergency Medical Service Police

Security Guard

Voice, video, multimedia, high-speed data, automation, teleoperation

Mission-critical communications can be defined as the ability to deliver a fast and reliable emergency response during an emergency and disaster and play a vital role in making the world safer. For decades, reliable narrowband voice-based PMR systems have been implemented globally to support public safety's essential communication needs. With the advancement in mobile broadband technologies (i.e., LTE/5G) and the prevalence of smart devices and smart sensors, new solutions on the market offer improvements in various areas, from HD video streaming to IoT applications, whilst reliable voice communication remains essential to day-to-day operations, especially in the mission-critical situation. 6

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

While embarking upon the complex transition journey towards broadband mission-critical communication, prioritising the implementation of convergence of PMR and LTE is critical in building a nationwide network and laying a foundation for the future. Furthermore, the extensive integration of wireline, Mesh, microwave, satellite, Wi-Fi, HF radio and 5G will create a more resilient network with densification and ubiquitous connectivity for better national security and emergency preparedness. The next-gen MC communication networks are to evolve into an essential element of smart firefighting to use the power of information by supporting comprehensive connectivity for data gathering, processing, and target communications. Likewise, fire departments also need to create seamless and fully interoperable communications to ensure that firefighters stay connected within teams on the scene and to control room dispatchers, as well as other emergency responders, regardless of their location, roles and devices they used. As a consense, a convergence approach combining those factors coupled with industryspecific features will no doubt facilitate the implementation of next-gen MC communications and ensure the flow of critical information where and when needed, accelerating the transition to the new era of such hybrid networks. Network resiliency, reliability, availability, robustness and operability are fundamental to public safety networks supporting reliable and secured connectivity, which can make the difference between death and life during a fire or a natural disaster. On one side, deploying a nationwide network across all operational areas: outdoors, indoors, airborne and maritime, is essential to ensuring successful large-scale emergency response, which often involves broader cooperation with the needs of seamless connectivity and mobility. On the other side, driven by improving efficiency and effectiveness and minimising investment, cellular 4G LTE and 5G networks are increasingly integrated with narrowband PMR systems to form a converged network. As a result, public safety organisations can take advantage of substantial and tangible benefits: addressing interoperability of inter jurisdictions during large-scale events, complementing PMR indoor coverage, extending the existing PMR network's geographical coverage, and adding new MCX services. For example, real-time MC video, sensors MC data transmission and analysis, remote control of drones/robots and mobile workflow. Public safety has been in a quest to connect anything, anytime and anywhere. It drives public safety organisations to create a new concept of three-dimensional (3D) wireless networks, converging terrestrial networks (ground), aerial networks (air), and non-terrestrial networks (space). As one of the critical elements, a rapid, resilient and dependable deployable system helps restore network coverage in specialised circumstances and various outage scenarios to provide tactical communication and data transmission through connectivity from the ground, air or space available to users. With high capacity and low latency, 5G has the potential to assist firefighters in enhancing their senses through thermal imaging and augmented reality (AR). Mounted to a helmet or mask, it can provide handfree vision into the heart of the fire, allowing firefighters to see both heat levels and traverse the dangerous environment. Through a synergy of MESH and 5G's, sharing this data with the team could make these tools all the more powerful. In addition, location-based technology has become far more accurate and cost-effective, and 5G is also beginning to be incorporated into Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-driven devices. A 5G-powered network can overcome most of the current challenges, especially indoor location, through its high bandwidth, reliable connectivity and great security. Being incorporated into IoT infrastructure, 5G will enable fully connected firefighters, fireSelf-driving automobiles, bio-connected wearables, and more are quickly becoming a reality. All these 5G-enabled applications will point a new path forward to inspire 7

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

Smart Fire Fighting Drone and Aerial

Satellite

Relay Infrastructure Harden

Ad-hoc DMO

Range Extension

Rapid Deployable

High Density In-Building

LTE

PMR

P-LTE

5G

PMR

D2D

LTE Maritime

Remote Areas

4

The essential communication stages throughout an incident response process

Fire station PSAP

On scene

Urban and rural areas

Control Room of Fire departments

Other agencies and government Callout

Coordination/turnout PMR Networks

En Route

Operation

Return to base

MNO Networks

In responding to increasingly complex and difficult incidents, worldwide fire services are merging with disaster management, medical emergency service, and more. For example, in China, since firefighters joined emergency management agencies, they have been involved in more tasks to fulfil their new missions: preventing through early warning, coordinating and responding to most man-made incidents and all-natural disasters across the nation, as well as post-incident investigation. To overcome those challenges and adapt to new changes, on one hand, firefighters must rapidly distinguish fire and quickly search and rescue, which is vital to saving lives, and personnel and equipment must be dispatched as fast as possible. On the other hand, to improve efficiency, effectiveness and safety, modern fire departments are exploiting new abilities involving automation, AI and analysis. At the initial stage, especially during large-scale disasters, intelligent command and control with informed decisions are critical to quickly coordinate the right resources in ever-changing situations to initiate a successful response plan. The data-driven process relies on a contemporary control room encompassing computer-aided dispatch (CAD), actionable tools, and streamlined emergency management processes, whilst linking and collecting data from various sources over ubiquitous connectivity is the key throughout an event. Before firefighters arrive on the scene, commanders or dispatchers need to collect real-time information to assess the situation: it can be video/photo images of the incidents from CCTV, live 8

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

streaming from eyewitnesses through mobile phones, remote-controlled UAVs or unmanned vehicles in a structure; can use satellite remote sensing service with advanced imagery through detection of wildland or forest fires despite; can also use satellite communications such as voice via a satellite phone, real-time videos via broadband satellite devices and cameras that conducted by a task force who are assigned to explore the situation of the large-scale disasters, like an earthquake where comms and transportation infrastructure are damaged. Technological evolutions have enabled new use cases and changed the way things operate. Phases of an incident (pre-, during-, and post-incident) are vital in describing the entire response stages. Despite the diversity in fire and rescue services, there is an underlying pattern formed by a chain of events with five essential stages: call-out, coordination/turnout, en route, operation, and return to base. We describe in detail what smart firefighting might look like and demonstrate with the example of China fire fighting as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

When public safety answering points (PSAPs) receive an emergency alert through voice calls, multimedia calls, apps, IoT sensors or more, it will immediately be routed to dispatch centres. The dispatchers categorise the incident and develop a response plan through intelligent decisionmaking via the global information collected in the control room. Then, call-out by one touch through advanced CAD quickly to dispatch firefighters and equipment of fire stations near to incident. During the coordination and turnout stage at fire stations, once on-duty crews are alerted and apparatus assigned, firefighters doe their protective gear, get the communication devices and depart for the incident site. In the case of large-scale events, more firefighters and resources might need to be dispatched from more fire stations across regions. En route, IC and firefighters must arrive at the scene as quickly as possible while keeping connected with the control room to view dispatchers' comments through PMR or cellular networks. Smart devices and LTE-connected mobile data terminals (MDT) allow team members to access dataintensives information such as building information, fire hydrants, and real-time video on the scene when they move to the cellular network coverage area. Advanced Location services help teams navigate through heavy traffic to find the best route to an unfamiliar location. Real-time location awareness enables dispatchers to trace all personnel and vehicles for quick dispatch and assured safety. During large-scale events, a mobile command and conference centre with satellite links is used for mapping and planning firefighting operations and booking and directing crews as they arrive on the scene, like a task force team. When teams arrive on site, an on-scene command structure is set up and led by IC, who organises to establish a command post and a primary ground-based temporary communication network. This tactical network may need to incorporate aerial and satellite communication, especially in a large geographical area or complex terrain. IC will become the focal point of communications on the scene, using comprehensive information and analytical tools to assess incident and risk and initiating a series of action plans: suppressing fire and rescuing victims, alerting the community, creating a contingency plan, managing and dispatching resources, coordinating the task, overseeing the firefighters' safety. The dispatchers in the control room play a supporting role, monitoring and logging fire ground events, processing requests for more resources, and recording the fire ground's traffic for post-event review and research. Localisation service can pinpoint the firefighters on the scene with building layout and safe exit and escape paths to ensure their safety. 9

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

5.

5

Establishing and maintaining reliable connectivities among IC, firefighters, and dispatchers can be challenging but critical in keeping firefighters safe. Post-incident management includes clean-up, return to the fire station, repair equipment, debriefing and feedback, and more. Accurate effectiveness assessment of equipment, tactics, and resource can best be evaluated when information about incident characteristics, resource capabilities, location and operation is observed, recorded, and archived through, for example, fire service apps.

The development of a communication framework for converging three-level networks Inter-departments

7

4

Fire department Control Room

5

Fireground Incident Commander

6

Across levels

3

Fire fighter

3 2

Cellular Airborne relay PMR

Cellular Networks

Other networks

Wireline

Satellite communication

Civilians

Deployable LTE

DMO/D2D

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Team /Unit

MESH/WI-FI

1

HF Radio

Local Area Network(WLAN)

Personal Area Network (WPAN)

Communication systems play a vital role in establishing and maintaining fast connections for emergency operations and obtaining and transmitting real-time situational awareness for incident command and control. Fire departments currently predominantly rely on two-way radios providing highly reliable voice communications for emergency operations, in which the digitalisation from analogue-based radio to digital radio is ongoing. However, smart firefighting will require both reliable voice and high-performing data communication, which can incorporate smart sensors to work together as a distributed CPS Therefore, it needs to introduce new technologies and delivery methods to collect and transmit real-time data over a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN) and a personal area network (PAN) whenever needed. In China, they refer to "three-level communication networks" for firefighting and rescue, consisting of fire control coverage networks in the city, command and control networks on the fire ground, and fire fighting communication networks. The key challenge here is to identify the appropriate technologies and prioritise research initiatives to develop a reliable, secure and cost-effective solution to meet the diverse needs in fire communications. While evolving to next-gen MC communications, public safety organisations across the world have increasingly introduced a convergence approach to combine various technologies and isolated networks, for example, PMR and LTE, as well as blend multiple applications. This implies the need for comprehensive solutions involving multi-layers to adapt to complex technological convergence environments and the growing adoption trends. Based on extensive research conducted over the years and illustrated in many use cases, we propose a holistic communications approach to support smart fire fighting and rescue and focus on 10

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

developing an innovative convergence framework. It will enable the fire department to evolve from the current basic response communications on fireground to data-centric smart fire fighting with a portfolio of technological improvements and expand ground-based wireless radio to more sophisticated interoperable communications, such as between IC, crews, individual firefighters, dispatchers and more. The framework also offers a range of enhancements to improve the resilience of the network: enhance WAN macro networks to deliver highly available MC voice, data and video communications; boosting LAN and PAN networks with robust connectivity by deploying ad-hoc fusion systems in the field; a single "converged" device can work seamlessly across WAN, LAN and PAN without disruption; various smart sensors on the scene can wirelessly access the connected device. As such, fire departments can establish a "disaster-resilient" communication system with full interoperability that meets the requirements of public safety grade (PSG) networks and smart firefighting and rescue operations with the following perception and consideration. 1.

2.

A personal area network (i.e., body area subnet) provides a platform connecting various sensors a firefighter carries through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more. For example, a helmet camera, an SCBA airlevel alarm, tracking and location devices, bio-vital signs monitoring and hazmat sensors. A smart device manages them, some sensor data is kept locally, and some is transmitted to the IC, such as monitoring the firefighter's health. A robust PAN communication system with multi-transmitting paths, a long-duration battery and a ruggedised device, is crucial to secured data transmission. Furthermore, increasing attention has focused on reducing the number of devices and the overall weight of the apparatus. Therefore, our perceived priority of industry research in this area is to develop a converged smart device that combines existing and emerging wireless technologies as both a primary communication device and a sensor access hub. A local area network organised by IC combines multiple wireless technologies to deliver tactical communications, allowing responders on the scene to communicate with each other, whether inside a building or in a large geographic area. With suitable signal penetration and HF radio long-range propagation, DMO is an optimal option for voice communications. In addition, ad-hoc PMR repeaters are used in a multi-hop manner to increase coverage range dramatically, whether inside a building or in a large geographic area. MESH is a promising technology with the ability to fast deployment because of its infrastructure-less, self-configuration, self-organisation and portability. MESH has been widely used to create a broadband-based multi-hop network to address dynamic data communications needs, delivering assured wireless coverage by penetrating dense construction, materials and thick smoke in structure fires scenario. Furthermore, with the networking improvement in mobility and handoff across nodes, MESH which can work together with satellites and aerial vehicles, is increasingly used for natural disaster scenarios with large geographical areas(e.g., wildfires). In summary, candidate technologies for LAN include MESH, Wi-Fi, DMO, LTE/5G cellular or D2D, deployable LTE, satellite, microwave, and airborne relays. However, integrating and organising them to avoid reliance on a single technology is particularly challenging when it fails or becomes unreliable. The IC-centric nature of the incident command network requires an aggregation node to link heterogeneous networks with disparate radio technologies to ensure all information routing through IC's terminal. To avoid a central point failure, the frontline command centre that is deployed in a fire command post on the ground or in a vehicle needs a ruggedised design, ideally duplicated, 11

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

multiple transmission paths and backup backhaul to minimise disruption of communications. 3.

Multi-agencies and across levels of the fire departments communications for large-scale events The increasing wide-scale emergencies, like extreme natural disasters and massive bushfires, strongly demonstrate the need for broader cooperation and coordination across agencies, including fire, police and medical emergency services. There is a clear need for fully interoperable solutions with backward compatibility to deliver seamless connectivity and real-time data sharing across isolated networks and disparate technologies. With the improvement of the fixed line communication systems used by the firefighter department, a personal portable digital radio can directly connect to the dispatch centre audio system. However, there are numerous occasions when firefighters or ICs are out of the coverage range of the PMR macro network, leading to losing connection with dispatchers. Therefore, fire departments must leverage cellular networks to complement PMR limited network coverage to build a more extensive network coverage through a network convergence approach. Furthermore, this converged macro network also depends upon local short-range equipment (i.e., LAN) to extend their coverage area in many scenarios, for example, repeater, relay and Mesh, to battle the complex environment and everchanging situation on the scene. Therefore, enhancing radio conversations between firefighters on the scene to interoperable multimedia communications nationwide among multi-agencies across wireline and various wireless technologies is an essential requirement but a complex and challenging issue that needs to be addressed with a basic framework and specific program of work. In addition, the integrated underlying networks will provide the essential infrastructure for ubiquitous connectivity, collection, computing and creation of mission-critical IoT. There is a clear need for end-to-end integration of supported communications that will no doubt facilitate the implementation of smart firefighting. As a result, data-centric information will empower firefighters with enhanced situational awareness and informed decision-making, enabling information-sharing among agencies to respond more to largescale events. Worldwide public safety organisations have been working on next-gen MC communications, cyber-physical systems (CPS), mission-critical IoT use cases, and smart firefighting transformation for years. Diving into industry study and research, emerging technologies and convergence approaches, experts in China have created a framework of communication convergence and comprehensive methodology for smart firefighting and developed innovative solutions with a number of best practices to create seamless connectivity in dynamic heterogeneous networks for reliable voice and real-time delivery of data gathered at fire sites and real-time information sharing among participants.

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

6

The holistic convergence communication solution uniquely supports smart firefighting for all disaster and emergency responses Different levels Of fire departments Satellite backhaul Other Agencies

1

OUCP 4G LTE backhaul

Fire command (IC)

Police

EMS

2 PMR

Converged WAN

Frontline Command Post

3

CCTV

Resilient e-Fusion

4G LTE/MNOs

Fire fighter Seamless handoff

Seamless Handoff

+Sensor Access

Since the industry embarked on the long transformation journey, Hytera has been a pioneer in developing innovative solutions uniquely capable of supporting public safety and fire departments to achieve unprecedented collaboration capabilities by deploying next-gen MC communication systems. With resilient and seamless connectivity, the new system will also help accelerate the transformation from traditional tactics and strategies relying on experimental, exclusive voice and limited data to smart firefighting with CPS-based data-driven informed decision-making and intelligent command. To make it possible, creating necessary standards and harmonising the ecosystem are only part of the solution; delivering services that take advantage of such capabilities in a timely, cost-effective and affordable manner is a significant task. As described in the previously released white paper, Hytera's "convergence-native solution enables next-gen mission-critical communication" can address these concerns fundamentally, making it a vital part of the entire solution. As a part of this complete solution, a converged ad-hoc-centric ground system aligned with aerial and satellite will form a robust 3D tactical network in affected areas to provide services where it would usually not be available whenever needed. Drawing on the holistic approaches (refer to chapter 5) and convergence ecosystem (refer to convergence-native whitepaper), Hytera developed a comprehensive end-to-end solution that consists of four functional subsystems, which are as follows: ⚫ ⚫ ⚫

OUCP platform is to integrate a wide range of disparate networks for supporting fully interoperable communications and real-time information sharing; Convergence-native innovation is to integrate PMR and 4G LTE networks to work together as an enhanced WAN, enabling seamless connectivity and mobility between them; The e-Fusion is to quickly deploy an integrated tactical network that combines various wireless technologies to support robust LAN and PAN at the scene to substitute or complement WAN whenever needed; 13

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

⚫

A converged smart device is to stay connected all the time and handoff across all networks and technologies.

The following is a summary of each of the subsystems. 1.

2.

3.

It is essential for fire fighting and rescue during extreme events and common, low-severity but high-probability emergencies to optimise the integration of a wide range of systems: fixed line networks, traditional radio, PMR networks, cellular networks and tactical networks, other agencies' networks, CCTV system and more. OUCP, a modular and comprehensive platform combining multimedia unified communication (MUC), unified dispatch, centralised management and recording, is a crucial component addressing the broad-scale implementation of interoperability and compatibility across these vertical systems used by different roles. The solution will shift the paradigm of mission-critical communication from exclusively voice communications on the scene to sophisticated communications and data-centric information sharing between dispatchers, ICs, teams and individual firefighters anywhere, anytime, and on any devices they use. Moreover, OUCP distributed architecture can easily adapts to the hierarchical structure to establish a national technical framework. As a result, it will allow fire departments to extend communications from local to regional and national levels across China fire departments and horizontally between different agencies, dramatically enhancing cooperation and collaboration and unifying commandand-control between them, especially in battles with large-scale disasters. As most countries have deployed and will deploy mission-critical broadband communications over MNO infrastructures across the globe, Hytera primarily designed a multi-layered convergencenative solution to embrace this "great evolution" and unparalleled opportunities and address the key challenges. We also leverage this innovative ecosystem to create an enhanced WAN network solution with a range of unique features distinguishing us from others. It undoubtedly will help fire departments accelerate the evolution of their most basic communication system from traditional radio to converged PMR/LTE networks and thus provide them with numerous values and benefits. Leveraging existing 4G/5G high-performing networks, for example, can reduce TCO, allow the rollout of LTE service widely with the fastest time to market, track the location of firefighters and assets through ubiquitous coverage and advanced location services, access data-intensive resources via mobile data terminal (MDT), and support COTS smartphone using by volunteer firefighters. Moreover, through the deep synergy of the converged networks and the converged devices, the system offers firefighters many enhanced features. So they can take advantage of the following valuable features to transform their operations: high availability keeping teams connected anywhere; real-time multimedia communication improving situational awareness via the PTToC app; mobile video conference with a control room to discuss events and decide actions; receiving images of the scene from a public who report a fire; view videos from a CCTV camera on the fire ground; seamless mobility in an exclusive method of automatic selection of the best available network without disrupting end uses' attention; quickly arrive on scene through positioning and navigating tools; access workflow to fill out incident reports describing the fire and filed reports with the agency via fire app; viewing dispatchers' comments and collecting information like building data on mobile devices while en route to an incident. E-fusion, a dependable next-gen tactical communication system that converges e-pack2.0, emesh2.0 and deployable LTE, supports firefighters in setting up an infrastructure-less network 14

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

4.

quickly and flexibly on the scene, especially during extreme natural disasters and large-scale structure fires. With seamless integration with the others network, e-Fusion ensures ICs and crews' operational continuity whenever needed by extending network coverage, boosting network capacity and providing resilient voice and multimedia communications. By leveraging high bandwidth MESH, LTE and Wi-Fi, as well as the long-range coverage capability of e-pack, e-Fusion delivers robust connectivities for video, data-intensive resources on the scene and biometric and environmental sensors around a firefighter and transmits real-time streaming data to IC In addition, e-Center provides frontline ICs with centralised command and control ability to coordinate all firefighters and resources on the scene via its all-in-one platform. The communication device is one key research area of perceived priority in addressing the most common requirements for the evolution of smart firefighting. As a critical component of the solution, Hytera dual-mode rugged radio, a next-gen device, is designed to evolve the current PMRbased device to a smart, adaptable and converged device capable of voice and data communications. The converged device that combines multiple radio access (LTE, PMR, DMO, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), networking and computing technologies can automatically attach disparate wireless access technologies and handoff between them and deliver reliable voice, data and fire apps. Furthermore, with its fire-specific HW/SW enhancement, the smart device creates a robust Personal Access Network (PAN) around firefighters, who don't need to carry several devices anymore. Overall, Hytera dual-mode smart radio can easily access e-Fusion and converged LTE/PMR networks, connect various sensors, and seamlessly handoff between them.

e-fusion, a next generation of the field communications solution

7

Connectivity is important to IC and firefighters as they battle moving and changing threats. Hytera convergence solution not only enhances the reliability, availability and resiliency of WAN but also adds new abilities, including traffic prioritisation, multi-band devices and multi-operator roaming, which are indispensable in the presence of interference, lack of coverage and during network congestion. In addition, e-Fusion is a next-generation field communication solution that provides robust connectivity when the macro WAN network coverage is unavailable. We offer a full array of products available to use in all scenarios, which are set to create enhanced LAN and PAN and support the particular needs of smart firefighting.

7.1

e-Fusion, a leading field communication solution, is set to establish robust LAN and PAN.

Occupational health and safety are paramount and are a top priority for firefighters. Real-time situational awareness and data exchange on the scene is vital for making the tasks of firefighters more effective and efficient and directly improving their safety and health. Two-way radio was predominantly used as both an essential communication and a safety device for firefighters through a simple way, like talk groups with DMO, push-to-talk, emergency alerts and tag accounting. However, there are inherent challenges when firefighters enter unfamiliar spaces that may contain an imminent threat and multiple distractions under harsh conditions of poor visibility, prompting 15

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

the development of sensors to increase situational awareness. Firefighter departments have been exploring new use cases in the use of PS IoT technology to address the issue, incorporating more sensors into firefighters' protective equipment (PPE): oxygen levels, infrared cameras, environmental, biometrics and tracking the location of both (3D) indoor and outdoor. All these sensors need low latency and high-bandwidth links to support them for instant readability and sharing among participants: onboard personnel, between personnel, between units, IC and firefighters, and multi-jurisdictional. There is also a need to access information about building plans and maps, weather and more on the scene. Therefore, only a robust, reliable, high-performing and interoperable field communication system can ensure the data collection, process and conveying across platforms in real-time. E2E e-Fusion field communication solution Industry Leading Technologies

Compact AIO system Man-pack

Fixed

Robust Network Portable

COTP

Redundant links COTM

Flexible and Scalable

Norsat Innovation

Satellite

Compact system Unified dispatch 700M 3GPP LTE PPDR Band

⚫ 3.9kg/8H/IP65/rugged

Compact

e-Center

⚫4G/5G based cognitive mesh Radio ⚫D2D broadband voice ⚫1st MESH handheld device ⚫Ad-hoc DMR (2ch for voice and data) ⚫Compatible with standard DMR device

Compact DMR system (8 carriers)

DMR (Compact) With MSO 8C/80W/IP66

LTE (compact) With EPC/700Mhz 2*20W/2T2R

E-pack2.0 (man-pack) 2 CH DMR, IP67 3kg,10W,9H.

⚫ 4G backhaul ⚫ 3 screens display(dispatch, Digital Map/GIS, Video) ⚫ 15kg/4h

E-MESH 2.0 (man-pack)

Shipping Box

4 in 1 Radio converged device

Frontline Unified Command

4 Radios Standardized

20Mhz(IBW)/70Mhz(OWB) 120Mbps/3.5kg,2*5W,8H,IP67

4-in-one converged devices Smart fire sensors accessible

TAKE AWAY

Maritime

MESH handheld

Converged Devices

Fast Deployment System set up within 5min

Super-light

• E-pack=3kg • E-MESH=3.5kg • Easily man-pack and Aerial carry

Wider Coverage • Multiple hops • Self-organization • Suitable power • Cognitive radios

The e-Fusion is designed as the next-gen field communication solution with an all-in-one compact platform for the multi-layered fusion of emerging technologies, robust networks, intelligent applications and lightweight product design, unifying mission-critical communications and command-and-control on the scene. By taking advantage of a wide range of emerging wireless technologies, including DMO/D2D, multihop relay, MESH, LTE and PMR, as well as WI-FI and Bluetooth, and coupling with several satellite terminals and aerial vehicles, our 2nd gen e-Fusion is set to form a comprehensive field communication solution, also allows for flexible deployments with several variants to meet diverse needs. As an end-to-end field communication system, the e-Fusion offers a whole array of product portfolios with many advanced capabilities and features. As illustrated above, we highlight its unique values of super-fast, super-light and broader range coverage. In addition, focusing on DMO ad-hoc and mesh networking approaches and NB/BB convergence makes it an attractive feature that differs from others. The e-Center offers an all-in-one platform that combines unified dispatching, video surveillance and GIS map, which is suitable for centralised command and control. Its small footprint with one integrated screen with separated displays makes it easy to carry and operate, providing a frontline command post solution for IC for unified dispatch and coordination. Furthermore, combining the integrated 4G LTE module 16

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

and Norsat satellite terminals, the backhaul transmission with primary and failover connectivity improves system redundancy and resiliency, thus minimising central point failure. In addition, the versatile e-Fusion solution provides super and robust connectivity for real-time data transmission between IC, dispatchers and firefighters by establishing a personal sensor network (i.e., PAN) and a field network (i.e., LAN) with the ability to maintain the reliable links for dynamic voice, video and data to withdraw the complex and harsh environment without disruption. Converting these data to meaningful information by integrating distributed computing tools and combing IC's knowledge of experience and judgement enables IC better update the operational plan. This robust, flexible, adaptive, and intelligent system is uniquely capable of addressing the diverse needs of connectivity for smart firefighting and rescue of the future. Its implementation is described with two basic variants, focusing on supporting the most common use cases-typical structure fire and large-scale disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes.

7.2 The e-Fusion-compact solution supports small teams in responding to typical structure fires quickly and efficiently Quick suppression is vital when a structure fire occurs because the growing use of synthetic materials makes building fire scale up faster and produce more toxic smoke and fume. Here there is a clear and critical need: faster dispatch, quicker deployment, easier jobs, and smarter communications are "musthaves" rather than "nice-to-haves". Hytera's e-fusion-compact solution is designed to address issues and support a quick response, particularly in hybrid network environments. This unique and breakthrough solution combines three key components: Hy-talk Pro/MC platform, e-pack2.0, and converged device, and offers a range of powerful features that are tailored for real practice needs, such as "one button switch", "one button call", seamless handoff, DMO relay, dual-channel transmission, and more, enabling reliable, interoperable voice and critical sensor data across WAN and LAN while significantly simplifying the operation for a small team of firefighters. PMR channel (GPS and 72bit data with 360ms interval)

Common structural fire - enable interoperability and simplicity across various devices

1

Hy-talk MC/Pro

DMO voice

LTE WAN backhaul

Sensors Embedded GW

LTE

Firefighters Sensor Data

MCS/PoC

Voice DMO

IC (Assist) firefighters& dispatchers & Other agencies Simultaneously calling to both sides

E-pack2.0 Relay 2 channels

LTE (WAN or LAN) Ch2: LTE

sensors

DMO voice

Ch1: D2D

2 channels

As one of the key components, E-pack2.0, a new generation multiple-hop relay unit, is designed to create an ad hoc LAN network compatible with PMR devices to support peer-to-peer voice and short sensor data transmission with high flexibility and resilience. With more lightweight hardware with an optimised design, which weighs just 3kg with a 9-hour high-capacity battery included, the manpack unit 17

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

can be easily carried and quickly deployed in the field. Furthermore, with RF power of 10W at a lower frequency radio band (i.e., HF) coupled with multiple-hop relays, the e-pack2.0 provides powerful signal penetration and is suitable for fire communications. Both features make it easy to extend WAN macro network coverage to remote areas or inside buildings via man-carrying, manpack, fire truck and aerial vehicle. In addition, it features two radio channels that transmit voice and data separately to ensure high reliability for assured critical data like alarms, and an integrated gateway function with LTE backhaul makes it easily connect to back-end WAN. As a primary communications device and also a hub, the dual-mode rugged radio is another key component. It offers comprehensive connectivity capabilities: for example, in this scenario, access, handoff, and roam between PMR/cellular (up to 2 MNOs ) networks; e-pack2.0 and connect, transmit and manage sensors via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth; one button call between LTE and DMO Embracing open app-based computing to deliver innovative capabilities and actionable tools to firefighters, like Hytalk app, fire app and access building data. The rugged design with IEC IP67 can withstand harsh environments and is resistant to dust and water. The professional design also includes controlling the device with gloves, military-level durability, a clear voice with acoustic noise cancellation and more. Whilst intrinsically safe(IS) radio is needed when there is a risk of accidentally igniting explosive gases in the atmosphere. On the fire ground of a typical structure fire, a team with 20 or so firefighters usually need to operate in a hybrid network environment involving LTE commercial networks and (e-pack2.0) DMO together with a variety of devices, including traditional (IS) radio handheld, dual-mode handheld, all sorts of PoC radios even smartphones for volunteer firefighters. With the HW and SW enhancement for fire-specific communications needs, the dual-mode radio allows IC to initiate mission-critical voice calls to DMO radio and different PoC devices simultaneously via the PTT button to establish fast communications among those uses. In addition, all sensor data are reliably and efficiently conveyed wirelessly to the local or back-end computing platform through LAN or WAN via two transmitting paths for redundancy through e-pack2.0 and dual-mode radio. Integrating e-pack2.0, dual-mode radio and Hytalk-pro cloud platform seamlessly, the innovative eFusion-compact solution is also compatible with PoC radio and traditional (IS) radio with easy access. It helps the fire departments resolve their real problem to deliver fast communications between a variety of devices used by different roles, quickly and efficiently responding to structure fire. The high availability and resiliency of network connectivity ensure reliable transmission of sensor data for such valuable IoT use cases, including monitoring physiological and environmental conditions, tracking and locating firefighters locally and remotely, and more.

7.3 The e-Fusion solution empowers comprehensive cooperation among multidisciplinary during large-scale disasters A Large-scale disaster often occurs over an extensive geographical area or a hard-to-reach terrain where no communications are available due to infrastructure damage or lack of cellular coverage. Therefore, A comprehensive field communication system, sometimes over dozens of miles, is needed to ensure service continuity so that responders can coordinate and share information among peers on the scene. Another critical need is to deliver accessible and fully interoperable 18

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

communications across large geographical areas throughout the events, particularly for jurisdictional collaboration and evacuation of inhabitants. The factors impeding the implementation may include limited network coverage and an isolated regional system. Fire departments must explore the capabilities to leverage current and emerging technologies, best integrate a range of different networks, and properly organise the entire system to deliver high availability and performance communication for real-world use and plan for the future.

Comprehensive solution for voice, data and video resilient transmission for large-scale disasters ⚫ 3 voice paths ⚫ 2 sensor data paths ⚫ 2 video paths

2

Video cameras (High throughput)

Environmental and Biometric sensor Hazmat

DMO/E-pack

LTE (LAN/WAN)

Bio-vital signs

USB-HDMI/USB

Environmental

Location and tracking

Body Cam

E-mesh

Firefighters PMR voice and LTE data

or WIFI

Mesh access and broadband D2D voice

Carry on camera

Helmet Camera HUD Camera

By seamlessly integrating e-Fusion and convergence-native WAN, Hytera solution uniquely addresses the broad-scale implementation of interoperability issues across WAN, LAN and PAN and other systems (i.e., fixed lines) when responding to large-scale events. As a result, it increases the overall reliability, availability and resiliency of the next-gen emergency communication system, enabling seamless connectivity over the truly converged mission-critical network and accelerating the smart firefighting transformation, When in the presence of interference, lack of coverage and during network congestion on the scene, the e-Fusion, a next-gen field communication solution, sets to quickly deploy a LAN communication system within 5-10 mins depending on the actual needs, with extensive network coverage, high performance and an all-in-one frontline command system. Best organising and integrating a wide range of components, including e-mesh, e-pack and deployable LTE, e-Center and Norsat satellite terminal and converged devices, the comprehensive e-Fusion establishes robust and resilient tactical communication on demand in fields and connections to dispatchers, other agencies and other jurisdictions through multi-path. In addition, deployable LTE can be used for the coverage of the command post to add additional capacity. The dual-mode rugged radio can automatically attach, access and handoff across sub-networks and roam to WAN networks through a mini-core convergence platform locally within e-Center. The e-pack2.0 is a pioneering ad-hoc manpack relay product compatible with PMR devices, which has been depicted before. e-MESH-2.0, the 2nd gen manpack broadband mesh of Hytera that makes the most of cutting-edge technologies such as HPUE, MIMO, UL OFDMA and even some of 5G, make it a world-leading product and is also known as the 4th generation MESH after Wi-Fi and COFDM MESH. MESH2.0 network is organised in an ad hoc approach to creating an advanced infrastructure-less network with up to 9 multihops and a total of 32 nodes, capable of adding or removing nodes with no impact on the overall system, delivering converged data, video and D2D voice service. Moreover, it features many innovative capabilities 19

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

that make it highly resilient and robust, enabling a high-performance and low-latency tactical wireless network: self-organisation, self-configuration, and intelligent routing, easily connecting to other mesh networks or IP networks through integrated 4G LTE or satellite routers, delivering higher bits/Hz than LTE and seamless mobility and handoff capability which is similar to LTE, adapting to complex RF environment with interference-free communication through cognitive and smart radio, supper lightweight and all-inone rugged design (3.5kg) also with 8h duration replaceable battery are ideal for many harsh operational conditions. In addition to ground-based networks, a tailored aerial relay that takes advantage of the MESH2.0 compelling features delivers tactical data in real-time with up to 15-20km long-distance coverage, making quick decisions needed, like bushfires or floods. Furthermore, it enables responders to share information between themselves and other emergency agencies more seamlessly by connecting the ground network, supporting a smooth response to any situation. In a word, easy to carry and simple to use, the e-MESH-2.0 is exceptionally suitable for any situation, including complex structure fires, large-scale wildfires and earthquakes, for video, data and voice connectivity. By utilising the latest drone, self-driving automobiles, bio-connected wearables and more technologies, combined with flexible, secure and robust MESH2.0 that makes the most of 4G/5G technologies, the future of natural disaster emergency service is set to be revolutionised. When time is of the essence, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. So, in addition to voice and data, by combing rugged handheld mesh with dual-mode smart radio, the e-Fusion creates a more robust, resilient and higher bandwidth PAN, capable of transmitting picture and HD/4K video from a range of video sensors, including body cameras, carry-on cameras, head-up display (HUD) cameras, and helmet cameras. The e-Fusion blends DMO relay, MESH, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular 4G and LEO/MEO/HEO satellite solutions into optimised and resilient LAN and PAN paths to deliver more secure data and critical voice. As a truly multi-path connectivity solution, the e-Fusion provides three paths for voice, two for sensor data, and two for video, enabling many compelling emerging critical applications, which point the path forward to inspire smart fire fighting. For example: ⚫

Keep firefighters stay-connected all the time while constantly moving in the field through 3 voice paths.

⚫

Transmit (infrared) images to ICs' terminals to enhance situational awareness for more informed decision-making through 2 video paths.

⚫

Alert the imminent dangers and individual locations to enhance contextual awareness of firefighters' situations and surrounding environments to ensure safety through 2 data paths.

With those capabilities, the solution will significantly deliver secured critical voice, video and data service, enabling smart fire fighting and rescue and helping fire departments to improve overall safety and effectiveness during large-scale events.

20

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

8

How does Hytera communication solution support smart firefighting and rescue The CPS can be a comprehensive system that integrates command and control, communications, sensing and computing, and actuates to realise complex distributed situation awareness, analysis and decision-making. Therefore, a comprehensive yet flexible communication solution is vital to seamless cooperation and coordination across responders or agents by utilising next-gen MC communication and exchanging real-time information about firefighters' situations and surrounding environments to enhance situational awareness and ensure safety. We are articulating a structure fire and a large-scale wildfire scenario to understand how Hytera's communication solution addresses operational needs, problems and challenges and meets the goal and criteria of smart fighting and rescue in the future.

8.1

Responding to a typical structure fire A compact system uniquely dresses the global demands for fast and seamless communications and data transmitting Smartphone

Other agencies OUCP

Control room

Fire ground 4G LTE

Converged WAN+LAN+PAN

Converged Radio

MCS/PoC

PMR

MNO-1 and 2

Seamless Mobility

Alert and Call-out

Smartphone Body camera

MCS/PoC

PMR

Fire station

DMO DMO

Seamless mobility

En route

MDT

Seamless mobility Seamless mobility

Arrive, exploratory and deployment

Victim rescued and fire suppressed

One day, a call centre receives an emergency call from a resident reporting a residential/structure fire by sending videos, images or text of the scene via smartphone. In the digital era, this alerting notice can also be from a connected alarm, a sensor and a video monitor in a building when detecting a fire with the prevalence of IoT use. The dispatchers categorised it as a typical structure fire (i.e., an incident of grade 2 in China), and the public safety answering point (PSAP) with CAD system routes an assignment to the fire station near the incident. After receiving the fire dispatch, IC and crews in the fire station check, get gears and radios, and transit to the fire ground. Fast, reliable, and secure communication throughout the event is vital to suppress a fire and save lives; even short communication failure can put lives at risk. No firefight wants to stick inside a building on the fireground without communication. When IC and firefights are en route, highly available and resilient communications are essential. Hytera convergence native solution is set to create an advanced WAN that seamlessly integrates PMR and multiple MNO LTE networks cost-effectively, enabling high resiliency and availability. Using dualmode rugged radio with two SIM cards, IC and firefighters can coordinate teams, dispatch resources, 21

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

access information efficiently, and take advantage of new capabilities empowered by the converged networks. For example, new multimedia services powered by LTE network, seamless communications between PMR/LTE networks and roaming between two MNOs without disrupting end users' attention, advanced location service with high accuracy, fast speed position and transmitting over overlapped coverage with up to 99% availability. Using valuable actional tools, crews can navigate through city traffic and quickly arrive on the scene; The locations of all firefighters must be known at all times, and dispatchers can trace individual responders' locations in real-time to ensure safety. In addition, highperforming and ubiquitous cellular networks allow IC to interact with dispatchers effectively by using images, video conferences, and other multimedia applications, collecting information like fire building and hydrants and accessing videos from nearby CCTVs. Through dispatchers, PoC apps support IC or firefighters to receive valuable data like videos and photos from the scene from the public and even make video calls directly with them for real-time situational awareness. All those services enhance situation awareness and improve IC's abilities to make better-informed decision-making. When firefighters with carried fire equipment and apparatus arrive on the fire ground, based on information, IC identifies and confirms it is a typical structure fire where cellular networks are typically available but sometimes have limited coverage in the basement or deep inside the building. Then, a command post is established at a safe distance away from the hazard zone, usually in front of the building's main entrance. And a template network is deployed using a multi-hop manpack epack2.0s relay, quickly extending the radio signal to cover the whole structure. There has been a clear need for interoperable communications for years when firefighters operate in a hybrid network environment on the scene. However, a particular technological challenge occurs because different roles may rely on different devices: radio, hybrid mode radio, connected body camera, (rugged) smartphone, PoC radio and more. Therefore, fast communication among those devices in a simple approach is crucial to firefighters and IC when responding to a typical structure fire. Hytera developed the e-Fusion-compact solution to uniquely address the interworking issue between DMO and PoC/MCS, enabling fast, seamless communication between IC, first fighters and dispatchers who may use different devices. In addition, by achieving a technological breakthrough on the Hytalk-pro platform and dual-mode radio, the solution does not require additional hardware or the involvement of dispatchers, making it simple, efficient, and flexible. On the scene, IC uses a mobile data terminal (MDT) to oversee the incident and a dual-mode radio to coordinate teams. With valuable features tailored for fire on devices, IC can easily switch between PoC and the DMO mode automatically (en route) or manually with just one push button (on the scene) when needed. In addition, IC with dual-mode radio connects to DMO and PoC radios simultaneously within one pre-defined group regardless of location: in a building, in a basement, outside the building and en route. Furthermore, Combining dual-mode radio, two-way radio(IS), PoC radio, connected body camera radio, remote speaker microphones(RSM), ruggedised design, and fire and voice assistant app form a holistic professional solution. It also allows firefighters hand-free operation and exaggerated control in bulky gloves with extended longevity of operation in harsh environments while assuring reliable voice, video and real-time data connections. Furthermore, intrinsically safe radio is needed, for example, to work in chemical plants environment with an explosive risk. 22

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

In addition, customers can flexibly add MESH to enhance the bandwidth and coverage when needed, supporting a range of video-intensive applications: transmitting thermal images from a firefight's location to incident commanders and viewing actionable information on wearable heads-up displays (HUD). In China's populated urban cities, large-scale structural fires often occur in numerous high-rise buildings and large-span and deep underground (like parking structures, underground malls, metro systems and basements). MESH is used widely because cellular network coverage in those complex buildings is unavailable or limited due to being hampered by radio-blocking impediments like heavy concrete walls and basements, or its performance degradation may occur due to network congestion. The e-Fusion-compact, simple, fast, but robust solution is designed to respond quickly to typical structure fire incidents, as they are often low-severity but high-probability emergencies. Going beyond voice communications, of importance is to apply these advancements to smart firefighting to ensure real-time situational awareness and firefighters' safety. Through the synergy of seamless converged WAN, LAN and PAN and dual-mode radio, two-channel epack2.0 and optional Mesh device, the resilient solution supports biometric and environmental sensor and video data transmitting through distributed platforms over redundant communication paths. After crews complete searching and saving victims from residential fires, extinguish the fire, overhaul the building, and then return to the base. All communications and data during the incident recorded through OUCP are essential for events reports, fire investigation, and evaluation.

8.2 Responding to Large-scale natural disasters A comprehensive system uniquely addresses large-scale wildland firefighting and rescue demands for fully interoperable and robust tactical communications Control room 6

Other Agencies Aerial Rely and Bird eye

OUCP-Fire

4G LTE (if available)

WAN

5

Satellite

Satellite

PMR

MNO-1

PMR

4

Seamless handoff

Call-out and depart

3

4

5

Fire station

MNO-2

Seamless Handoff

1

)

Exploring

Tactical Networks One button switch to DMO

Firefighting and rescue

PAN

2

Command Post

En route to the scene

Arrive, explore and deploy

Research and rescue and suppress fire

Disaster responses like wildland fire fighting and earthquake research and rescue present similar 23

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

challenges but differ from those in a structure fire. They usually occur in much broader geographical areas or rugged terrain and cause high levels of devastation, like severe damage to infrastructure and widespread loss of life. Wildland firefighting is a highly scalable type of incident, the biggest of which can last weeks or months. Therefore, there is a critical need to establish a temporary network to substitute for a cellular or PMR network to provide the service in remote areas. Moreover, firefighters might need much time to arrive on the scene as they usually drive through the unfamiliar countryside, some of which are hard-to-reach areas. In China, these disasters are ranked as grade 4 and grade 5 emergency events. Such challenging and stressful events require multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional coordination, which involves firefighters, volunteer/assisted firefighters, police and emergency medical services across a large territory. Interoperable communication and real-time information sharing are vital to enhancing situational awareness and collaborative decision-making during the event. While driving through a long-distance road to the fire ground, it is necessary to keep IC and firefighters connected and informed. So they can receive critical commands and comments from officers or dispatchers in the control room and collect sufficient information relevant to the wildfire to make a better initial deployment plan. Seamless connectivity is essential to collect this information in real time, which can be location, real-time weather updates, terrain, wind speed, and video images from an aerial vehicle. It relies on a command communication system in a vehicle, including dual-mode handheld radio, vehiclemounted mobile device, satellite-based communication, video conferencing system, GPS-based advanced location services and command and control system. In China, it refers to "en route command, " vital to efficient coordination and response for large-scale disasters. Unleashing a new level of convergence innovation opens up a new dimension of converged applications, the Hytera's convergence solution delivers a "seamless" user experience for "en route command" whilst providing an affordable pathway to broadband services. By leveraging natively converged PMR/LTE networks that make the most of 4G (further 5G) technologies and combined converged devices, the solution enables fire departments to create a true public safety grade (PSG) network through enhanced capabilities:high-reliability, high availability (HA), agnostic access, seamless mobility across separate networks and roaming between multi-MNOs. In addition to ground-based communication, Norsat technology provides communications-on-the-pause (COTP) and communications-on-the-Move (COTM) solutions. It provides a high-performance flat panel satellite terminal featuring mechanical or pure electronic steering with 3-min pointing and high-accuracy tracking stars in a high-speed vehicle. By using dual-mode smart devices and satellite terminals, IC and firefighters stay connected with the dispatcher all the time en route via comprehensive communications methods, including voice, location tracking, video convergence, data sharing and more. On the site, the command post is quickly established, usually located miles from the fire ground for safety and might relocate several times throughout the fire incident due to rapid fire spread and growth. Therefore, the equipment must have a small footprint, be easily transportable and easy to use and not be required for installation, setup, commissioning and provisioning whilst providing long-range coverage and high performance. With the following consideration, system design and capabilities, the e-Fusionsolution uniquely helps fire departments create a robust tactical network that converges voice, video and data communications, enhancing the overall resiliency and reliability, which is essential to a successful 24

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

response to emergencies. ⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

Equipment: by harnessing the advancement of ad hoc wireless technologies, All-in-one E-MESH 2.0 and E-pack2.0 feature slim, rugged, compact and super lightweight (3kg/3.5kg) design that makes them easy-to-carry and an integrated high-performance battery for each support an 8H longduration of operation in a harsh environment. Coverage: in a typical hill terrain, the ground-mount unit with an external rack antenna can support long-distance coverage of up to 10km for video and data transmission (MESH) and up to 15km for voice transmission (e-pack 2.0). The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a powerful aerial platform that mounts e-mesh, e-pack and multiple camera sensors, delivers a bird's-eye observation view of the terrain. With a powerful coverage of up to 15km for MESH and up to 30km for e-pack2.0 in a one-way relay via UAV and multi-hop capabilities, it broadly extends ground voice and data network coverage across wildfire areas. Backhaul: Leveraging an integrated 4G LTE module, external 4G/5G router and manpack Norsat satellite terminal, the multi-path backhaul solution flexibly supports E-center, e-pack or e-mesh with a reliable, stable and high bandwidth link to OUCP, allowing responders to communicate to dispatchers and other jurisdictions and connect to cloud platforms to access weather condition and public opinion. Device: dual-mode radio with built-in app support optimised PMR voice and PoC/MCS multimedia services, efficiently managing multiple mixed group calls between dispatchers and firefighters through valuable tools: automatic voice recording and playback on demand rather than frequently listening to more radio at one time and keeping IC and firefights focus on more critical missions without distraction. Command: this converged tactical field system overlays multiple streams of information from aircraft/UAV, firefighters, command posts and control rooms onto a shared digital map with the exact location of the personnel visible on E-center established in the command post, a rugged portable computer featuring a long-duration battery and three screens, capable of running separate functions at a time including unified dispatching, video surveillance and GIS, make IC easier to manage different operations. Through the seamless connectivity across WAN, LAN and, PAN, IC, dispatchers and firefighters can individually view the same live video feed from aircraft/AUV cameras and carry-on cameras and share information between each other collected from various sensors ( i.e., biometric, environmental) and cloud (i.e., weather) and track each other's positions in real-time. These significant amounts of information are performed and distributed across E-center in command post, Smart-one in control room, and converged devices responders carry in the field. As a result, firefighters benefit from seamless cooperation with enhanced situational awareness, which is vital to a successful and safe wildfire operation. In China, a framework of "digital battlefield communications" coupled with edge AI and bio-connected wearables was established, empowering firefighting with "digital firefighter, networking battlefield and battle visualisation". It will help fire departments to create a new battle mode for firefighting and rescue in the field to cope with the ever-changing environment and increasingly complex situations during tactical and emergency response.

25

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

9

Use case: Harness next-gen MC communications systems to transform fire services in China Fire departments

EM departments

Systematic and Holistic Solutions for provincial-level organizations with 2-level hierarchical architecture

Control Room

EOC

Comprehensive cloud-based distributed OUCP platform

专职队/微消 Landline

Comprehensive OUCP-flatform-1

Provincial Level

Video conferencing Platform

Voice Dispatch

Landline

Multi-mode smart device

Convergence Communication platform-1

Video Platform

Intelligence New ICC

PDT Networks

Ubiquitous Positioning

Multimedia Communication platform-2

4G LTE

Local

Incident Site

PDT

Intranet IP network

Desktop Terminal

Legacy Radio

Level-3 (LAN+PAN) Converged LAN Network

MNO networks

4G Link 4G Link

Satellite Backhaul

E-Fusion (command post)

E-Pack with 2 channels

Call-out Departure

Ad-hoc DMO link

User case Government Volunteer fire fighters Community and Enterprise volunteer fire fighters

En route Command-and-Control Seamless mobility

On the scene with DMO communications

Voice Dispatch

4G LTE PoC Radio

Level-2 (LAN)

Level-1 (WAN)

Private Cloud Infrastructure

City Level

Ad hoc e-pack (4G backhaul)

4G LTE-connected Body cameras

Comprehensive OUCP platform-1

Post-incident Assessment and investigation

Convergence Communication platform-1

Video conferencing

Information Sharing

Provincial Level

Private Cloud Infrastructure

Video conferencing

Multimedia Communication platform-2

IP network Information Sharing

City Level Local Enterprise

Daily fire and safety inspection

China fire departments have made tremendous achievements in managing fire threat and reducing loss through technological advancements. With emergency management reforms in China for years, fire departments have taken more roles and responsibilities in their new missions, responding to a more comprehensive range of disasters and emergencies, particularly catastrophic events, including natural and man-made disasters. This significant shift implied that firefighters must extend their operations from local and city-level areas to much broader regions, including provincial or national levels, and span large geographical areas for response and prevention. However, there are a number of critical remained issues to be addressed. The first challenge is enhancing cooperation and real-time information sharing across fire departments and volunteer firefighters at different levels and with emergency management and other government agencies during emergencies and prevention. In addition, despite continuous enhancements in fire, eliminating catastrophic natural disasters is still daunting. Therefore, there is a real need to innovate beyond the traditional paradigm, transforming from predominant voice-only communications to a comprehensive approach. It only can be achieved through a systematic approach with the following considerations on communications systems: 1.

2.

Upgrade analogue radios with digital radios over established PDT systems, which continue to expand the coverage while leveraging existing commercial networks simultaneously via a shared PoC platform, an isolated and non-MC communication system initially built by MNOs needs to be deployed in a public safety context. Introducing a new MC communication-capable advanced PTToC digital platform to replace the existing PoC one is necessary for delivering more reliable MC voice, video and data services via MNOs' LTE networks. In addition, to access super high-performance 5G networks, the platform needs to be

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How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

3.

4.

5.

upgraded to support 5G networks, allowing responders to carry new types of devices based on their different roles and adding new compelling applications to fire services. By equipping IC and firefighters with a new type of converged devices that support multiple radio access and specific features, fire departments can fulfil a number of new requirements throughout the entire process of fire services to address the critical aspect of their new mission, including avoiding carrying multiple devices to support voice and multimedia communications and sensor data access, autonomously attaching and seamless mobility across different wireless networks, as well as easy-to-use, intelligent and affordable. Address the broad implementation of interoperability among a wide range of isolated systems, including PSTN landline phones, video conferencing systems, CCTV systems, PDT radio systems, DMO communication and emergency tactical system in the field. In addition, it is necessary to lay the foundations towards further converging innovations in smart sensors, AI modelling, distributed computation, and active human-in-the-loop communication networks. Efforts to streamline and enhance incident response with data systems have been undertaken for many years. With the GIS, automatic vehicle location (AVL), advanced routing and location of apparatus, computer-aimed dispatch system(CAD) becomes mature and are broadly used to improve dispatch resources by fire departments to tackle the challenges of an ever-increasing myriad of response. Nowadays, visualisation of firefighters' location on a GIS map/floor plan in conjunction with advanced localisation and mapping technologies, plays an increasingly vital role in providing the capabilities for IC and dispatchers to quickly and intuitively view where firefighters are located to ensure their safety. Converging a wide range of localisation technologies and advanced AI modelling, including GPS, A-GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth beacons and cellular(i.e. 5G), can achieve more precise and real-time location tracking of firefighters.

Shenyang Fire Research Institute of MEM (SYRFI) has been our longstanding partner for consultancy, and we jointly serve the fire department's operations in China. Drawing on the experience of convergence innovation, Hytera delivers holistic and systematic solutions that comprise a comprehensive OUCP platform, a native convergence network of PDT and 4G LTE, a converged e-Fusion ad hoc tactical network and converged smart devices for fire departments to help them build a next-gen MC communication system on a broad-scale, addressing a number of challenging issues through many efforts on research and perception, evaluation and development, best practice and sustainable evolution of smart firefighting and rescue. 1.

2.

3.

Through horizontal and vertical system integration by using OUCP platform to integrate all resources, enable fully interoperable communications and real-time information sharing among fire departments and emergency departments, and assist firefighters and communities. Converging PDT and CMCC LTE 4G networks enable unleashing of the power of broadband technologies. We delivered a range of advanced applications via converged smart handhelds, body cameras, and PoC radios: advanced PTToC communications, video feeds from the building in the fields, body cameras capturing video at the scene, real-time access information of the building, using fire apps. Enhance network resiliency by seamlessly combing various wireless access technologies, fire emergency communication networks with three levels of architecture, and an ad hoc communications system quickly established on the scene. 27

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

4.

5.

6.

7.

By equipping IC and firefighters with all-in-one smart devices that combine multiple radios (PDT, commercial/deployable LTE and DMO) and short-range PAN radios (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), they will rely on it to communicate and share information across communication and sensor networks during all phases of fire service. In addition, besides avoiding carrying different devices, IC and firefighters benefit from multimedia services and new features specially tailored for China fire, including a onetouch switch off, one-touch simultaneously initiating different types of calls, one button triggering SOS alerts and man-down automatic alarm, intelligent voice assistant, quick positing and navigation app, automatic voice call recording and playback on demands on devices, improving operational efficiency and safety. Ensure service continuity with improved user experiences across various networks, including seamless attaching to networks and seamless handoff between networks without distracting attention. Current and evolving data collections are an important consideration for smart firefighting. Besides resource tracking mentioned earlier, we now focus on firefighter tracking. By leveraging seamless, ubiquitous and robust connectivity through converged commercial LTE network, PDT network and field network of e-Fusion, Hytea's solution ensures location data reliable transmission in real-time via the connected device. It also gives dispatchers and ICs a unified overview of fire operations and firefighter locations through an intuitive display on next-gen Smart-one and e-Center during the entire incident, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of command and control and the safety of firefighters. Personnel locations are becoming an essential layer for the new command and control module and a vital component of the incident management system, the performance will be greatly enhanced with the build-out of next-gen communications, advanced location services and indoor 2D/3D positioning systems. As a key component, OUCP significantly advances the command-and-control system by featuring comprehensive capabilities: a distributed platform with module components and hierarchical architectures, unified dispatching of all resources with visualisation, advanced ubiquitous locations service with quick positioning and real-time tracing, system-level integration of multiple networks including native convergence of PMR/LTE, centralised MDM for all devices, and recording for all calls, benefiting the development of a complete suite of operational and decision-making tools.

Hytera has been at the forefront of supporting China's firefighting and rescue to accelerate the transformation of the next-gen communication system for improving efficient operations and the safety of firefighters, not only on the fireground but in all aspects of their duties. Powered by Hytera's convergence solution, the new nationwide communication system systematically supports EM departments with unified command and control, leading to more informed decision-making and broader cooperation at different levels. It also helps fire departments better fulfil their new mission of leading overall coordination among government agencies for all extreme disaster responses in the field and day-to-day operations for everyday emergencies. By keeping involved in architecture, standards, pilot projects, and designing and delivering many advanced communication systems along with the trend for future smart firefighting, Hytera has been proven to play an increasingly vital role in supporting the continued development of the technological framework with three levels of hierarchical structure, help them to achieve the critical goal of unified and intelligent commanding and controlling in horizontal to edge and vertical to end and better support 28

How Does The Next-gen Mission-Critical Communications Enable Smart Firefighting and Rescue

emergency preparedness and response at five levels. 10 About the author Chuan Chuan (Winter) Leng is an ICT specialist at Hytera with over 18 years of experience (combined with previous knowledge at Lucent/Alcatel-Lucent/Nokia) working on industry research, digital transformation and mission-critical communications across various sectors, including MNO mobile networks, public safety, physical security, manufacturing, oil&gas and railway, with a current focus on next-gen mission-critical communications. Also, as a network architect with expertise in a wide range of technologies, he has been designing and implementing many new ICT systems involving the convergence of PMR/LTE, ad-hoc tactical communications, 4G/5G private network and network security, as well as writing technical white papers and journal articles and consulting with real experience. He is also a member of a number of professional institutes and has built credibility through numerous works and contributions, including developing innovative solutions and promoting industry standards.

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