by Rob Wright, Business Development Director of Mutualink, Inc.
View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2016 – NJAC County Biz – May
As the federal government continues to make progress on the implementation of FirstNet – a single, national interoperable platform for public safety communications – all eyes are on New Jersey’s JerseyNet and its first-in-the-nation public safety deployable networks. As a FirstNet “Early Builder” project, JerseyNet is giving federal authorities and first responders everywhere a glimpse of how safety and security can be significantly improved when a high-speed wireless broadband network is dedicated exclusively to public safety.
New Jersey’s FirstNet application has proved innovative and effective. The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) has implemented deployable networks for the public safety community utilizing System on Wheels (SOWs) and Cells on Wheels (COWs). As a result, JerseyNet facilitates secure and reliable multimedia communications in both densely populated and rural locations for emergency response situations, as well as planned large-scale public gatherings.
PMC Associates, the prime contractor for JerseyNet, partnered with Oceus Networks, Fujitsu, Mutualink and others to make this public safety LTE deployment a success. The network performed well in a real-world test last summer in Atlantic City, where more than 100,000 fans crowded the beach and boardwalk for popular concerts.
Here’s a brief overview of how JerseyNet enhanced situational awareness and improved first responder communications during the large-scale events:
- The Atlantic City Police Department and the OHSP deployed secure and portable technology equipped with Mutualink’s technology, enabling real-time video and voice communications to be shared among first responders.
- The JerseyNet broadband network provided uninterrupted connectivity, without reliance on commercial broadband providers. This was especially important during the concerts, with tens of thousands of cell phone users competing for the limited resources of cell phone networks.
- The police department’s Mobile Communications Unit (MCU) and several trailer-mounted surveillance cameras streamed video over JerseyNet, allowing unobstructed sharing of data between the field resources and the police command.
- Data was shared within the command structure and across the network with other supporting agencies, including the New Jersey State Police and emergency medical service providers, who were able to view the information and video on fixed workstations and portable smart devices using Mutualink.
By all accounts, JerseyNet performed flawlessly during the concerts, with police officials reporting “Zero Loss of Data” during the busy events. Prior to the availability of JerseyNet, first responders were hampered by the loss of data and connectivity resulting from the overuse of commercial LTE frequencies, which compromised the utility of command vehicles and surveillance cameras.
With another tourist season upon us, law enforcement and the public can take comfort in knowing that the most advanced safety and security technologies are being used right here in New Jersey. JerseyNet’s successes, as well as lessons learned, will serve as a model for the rest of the nation as a single interoperability platform edges closer to reality.