https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • 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
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • 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
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • 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


Get ready for wave of emergency-driven mobile apps

Get ready for wave of emergency-driven mobile apps

“There's an app for that,” is Apple's slogan for the iPhone and its application store. Now apps are popping up that help consumers and first responders in emergency situations.
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 9th September 2009

“There’s an app for that,” is Apple’s slogan for the iPhone and its application store. Indeed, there seems to be an app for everything — from a simulated whoopee cushion to a high-quality navigation system. Now apps are popping up that help consumers and first responders in emergency situations.

Last week, Clearwave Mobile introduced the ICEbeacon app, which is designed to let first responders use the patient’s iPhone to quickly and easily send real-time text alerts to pre-designated contacts, and to access critical information about the patient, such as allergies, blood type and known medical conditions.

Chris Baker, a captain with the Roseville (Calif.) Fire Department, said any service that can give EMS providers critical information at the scene when the patient is unable to do so is a valuable tool. However, he also said that EMS providers typically don’t have the time at the scene to search patients’ cell phones for contact numbers and other vital information. There also may be privacy issues.

“There would need to be some training and policy guidance about looking for a sticker, or similar, to see if this information is available on the phone,” Baker said.

That is exactly what Clearwave has done. Once consumers download the application, they can visit the ICEbeacon Web site to register the app and obtain the free sticker that they can apply to the exterior of the iPhone or its case. The sticker lets first responders know the device is so-enabled — and that they have the patient’s permission to use the app. Additionally, Clearwave has notified more than 100,000 EMS professionals at the federal, state and local levels, alerting them to the presence of the app, said a company spokeswoman. The company also is a non-emergency member of the U.S. First Responders Association.

But Baker brings up a good point. As smartphones with multiple apps on them become the norm (such devices are the fastest growing segment in the industry today) and companies push the envelope on new apps, it makes sense that emergency responders nationwide should be trained and given guidance on the developments in the space.

Apple reported in July that 1.5 billion apps were downloaded in the first year after the company launched its online store, which currently offers more than 65,000 apps. And more than 100,000 developers are working on creative apps for the device every day. Moreover, app stores for competing devices and platforms are flooding into the market.

There is no doubt that apps are changing the mentality of mobile consumers everywhere. In unfamiliar places, people use apps to find the nearest gas station. Some log their calories and workouts. iPhones are replacing calendars and, in some cases, computers. While gaming still accounts for the majority of downloads, the new wave of apps is changing the way users communicate, navigate their environment, do business and, yes, receive emergency services.

Here’s just a sample of the emergency apps that already are out there:

  • iSOS! GPS Emergency Locator. In an emergency situation (after you’ve called the police), you can click on this app to report your position to police, medical services, family members and others, as well as e-mail personal, pre-configured information and a link to Google Maps with your GPS position.
  • Nationwide Insurance in April launched a free app that helps those involved in an accident contact local emergency services, document the accident and submit a claim.
  • iCodeRed uses built-in GPS technology to obtain the location of the user; once the location is pinpointed, it sends out the emergency e-mail with the details, such as date and time of the event and latitude and longitude of the location where the user initiated the application. The app then dials a predefined phone number.

There is no doubt that the creativity we are seeing in the mobile apps space can help first responders do their jobs better. They just need to know how to harness the technology. Maybe there is a good case for giving first responders iPhones to help them understand the developments in this space. It was the argument I used with my husband, although I ended up getting an iPod Touch, which I call my “poor man’s” iPhone. It allows me to keep updated with new apps via Wi-Fi — without driving up the monthly cell phone bill. Just a thought.

Tags: Commentary Newsletters Mobile Data Commentary

Most Recent


  • Land mobile radio (LMR) systems are just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as any other networks used in the public-safety sector. Here’s what to do about it.
    There was a time, not very long ago, when public-safety agencies and other public-sector organizations didn’t seem to fully appreciate the significant threat that cyberattacks pose to their operations and ability to fulfill their missions. But that began to change over the last couple of years, thanks to a spate of high-profile incidents. One occurred […]
  • September 3GPP Plenary meetings feature Release 18 progress, Release 19 beginnings
    The 3GPP Plenary meetings took place September 11-15, 2023, in Bangalore, India. The Technical Specification Group (TSG) reports below highlight continued progress on Release 18 (R18) features of interest for public safety, including steady development on the stage 3 protocol work, which is the last stage in 3GPP standards development. The Plenary meetings included planning […]
  • Better technology can help solve the public-safety staffing crisis
    Every time I read about a public safety agency being short staffed, with a burnt-out workforce, draining their overtime budget, I feel their pain. From New York to New Mexico and in communities all across the nation, police and fire departments routinely are forced to mandate longer shifts, which takes an emotional toll and raises […]
  • Updated: How 'sidelink' peer-to-peer communications can enhance public-safety operations
    Editor’s note: A previous version of this column was posted that included only the first portion of the article—a mistake by the editor. IWCE’s Urgent Communications regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience. When first responders are called to action, they need reliable communications to coordinate an effective public-safety response. Public-safety personnel understand this […]

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 *

Related Content

  • Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator
  • Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces
  • Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls
  • In challenging year, working with public safety to move FirstNet forward

Commentary


Land mobile radio (LMR) systems are just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as any other networks used in the public-safety sector. Here’s what to do about it.

  • 1
7th November 2023

September 3GPP Plenary meetings feature Release 18 progress, Release 19 beginnings

13th October 2023

Better technology can help solve the public-safety staffing crisis

26th June 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


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.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.