https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
Banking Technology
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Careers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Careers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Commentary Newsletters


Homage to the truly unsung

Homage to the truly unsung

A reader suggested that the people who install the communications systems that public-safety professionals rely upon are the truly unsung heroes.
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 12th March 2009

I drove to Toronto last weekend for the World Baseball Classic, a roundtrip of about a thousand miles. It was during the long, dreary sojourn through western Ontario that I got the idea for this column.

I’ve always liked car trips, as they afford an opportunity to see the continent in a way that can’t be replicated at 30,000 feet. On this trip, I saw the biggest radio towers I’ve ever seen. There was a time in my life, before I got involved in this publication, when I would have scarcely noticed a communications tower. I would have noticed these — that’s how big they were.

I started to think about the people who have to climb those monsters to install and repair equipment. And that got me thinking about a response I recently received from a reader.

I had written a story for our web site on the need to motivate 911 communications center dispatchers and call-takers. (An expanded article on this topic appears in the March print edition.) In this story, I quoted a 911 communications center manager who called dispatchers and call-takers “unsung heroes.”

In response, the reader suggested that the people who install the communications systems that public-safety professionals rely upon are the truly unsung heroes. Engineers whose intelligence dwarfs that of the common man determine the type of system that needs to be installed based on myriad geographical/topographical factors and how such systems should be deployed to maximize their effectiveness. Field technicians often work in harsh conditions and in rugged environments. Many of them also put their lives at risk, just like the first responders they serve, by climbing high into the sky to deploy and maintain these vital systems.

But how often does the public think of that? Not often, I fear. Indeed, I believe it would be safe to say that most of the general population isn’t even aware that these people exist. I would bet that the only time first responders think about radio engineers and technicians is when something goes wrong. That’s only human nature.

Nevertheless, this is ironic, because the ability of police, fire and emergency medical professionals to serve and protect can depend on how well their communications systems and equipment work. When they don’t work well, lives often are lost — sometimes their own.

So, to those who ensure that these crucial communications systems perform at a high level, I offer a long overdue and a well-deserved word of thanks. And if you’re attending IWCE in Las Vegas next week, stop by our booth (1433). We’d love to meet you and hear your stories.

Related Stories

  • Creating incentive is elementary
  • The ABCs of motivating 911-center employees

What do you think? Tell us in the comment box below.

Tags: Commentary Newsletters Networks & Systems Commentary

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Commentary


Help wanted: Working together to harness the power of data for 911

18th January 2019

Change is coming: Location-technology predictions for 2019

19th December 2018

Why every PSAP needs to be vigilant about cybersecurity

2nd November 2018
view all

Events


SATELLITE 2019

6th May 2017 - 9th May 2019

UC Ezines


APCO 2018 Wrap Up

  • 1
16th November 2018
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

Safer Buildings Coalition bring Mandalay Bay Shooting Hero Twin Brothers to @IWCEexpo. sbc.memberclicks.net/sbc-program-at…

15th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: There's still time left to register! Develop the knowledge required for entry-level positions within the field of #SmartBuild…

15th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: 📣REMINDER 📣 For the latest information on #IWCE2019 download the Attendee Brochure! The new brochure contains Schedule At-A-G…

15th February 2019
UrgentComm

#IWCE2019 is less than 3 weeks away! RU following our event page @IWCEexpo ?! Join the conversation for the latest… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

14th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @FirstNetGov: We ❤️ first responders! Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our #EMS, #police, #fire, 911, and #emergencymanagers who go above…

14th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: One more week to book #IWCE2019 housing before rates expire on February 22. Book now: bit.ly/2FaS1ME https://t.co/L…

14th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: Pick Your Pass! Whether you want 5 days of education or are looking to mix and match, #IWCE2019's registration packages offer…

14th February 2019
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: #IWCE2019 is returning to Las Vegas in less than 3 weeks?! Want to see what all the hype is about? Check out our IWCE 2019 Pr…

13th February 2019

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

Urgent Comms

© Urgent Comms 2019. Informa USA, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service

Related Links

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • Microwave/RF
  • T&D World
  • TU-Auto

Follow us

Websites are now required by law to gain your consent before applying cookies. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Parts of the website may not work as expected without them. By closing or ignoring this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
X