Ok guys and gals, this is a good one. I have always been frustrated with the lack of communications capability between all the companies and the military, while operating out there in war zones. If everyone in the theater of operations had a First InterComm System set up in one of their convoy vehicles or at their FOB, then everyone should be able to communicate with one another, yet still use their current radio systems.
Companies could be issued these boxes, or it could be mandated that all convoy operations and sites have them as part of the contract. That way, the company can still use their current communications systems, but with this device they can communicate with everyone else that has their own communications system, yet has the same device. That way, companies interacting with other companies or even the military, will be able to communicate. That is cool.
For convoys that pass each other on the road, these devices could allow them to communicate with each other. Especially if one convoy just blasted through an ambush or visually spotted a potential IED, and then they could pass on this information via radio–and instantly, yet not have to mess around with reprogramming or changing radios. That is much better than going through a third party TOC that is miles away that might or might not get the information, and more than likely will get it too late to make a difference for the here and now.
I would also like to see the military put these devices in their rigs, because as it stands, there is no communications capability between contractors and military in this war at all. There might be individual arrangements here and there, but there is certainly no theater-wide mandate of communications between these two groups. That is scary, and it is a fact of contractor-military relations that has been a reality for far too long. A civilian or military convoy could pass on life saving information to one another, but because there is no standard radio system that everyone uses, this is not happening.
This would also foster a unity of command and effort that is essential in this war. A military unit should be able to communicate with a contractor convoy or site security team, and give guidance or leadership or just pass down information crucial towards the interactions with the local populations and local operations. A contractor might see something crucial to the military’s operation, and the military might see something that would be crucial to a civilian operation. Communications between the two groups is incredibly important, and especially out in the field as situations present themselves.
Let me give an example of what I am talking about. Fratricide between contractors and military has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. With a device like this, you could conceivably have a way to communicate with one another to end this kind of accident. It is amazing to me that we have two armed groups out there, and there is still nothing in place to really prevent these kinds of things.
Another example is the exchange of medical aid for incidents. Sometimes the military does not have the capability to treat their wounded or some local population’s wounded in certain situations, and a paramedic or former 18Delta on a contractor convoy or FOB, could totally come to the aid and save a life. Thats if the military has a way to communicate with a nearby company. And that military unit can also communicate if the area is still dangerous or not so the company can plan for that aid mission. Hell, a civilian contractor team could even help in providing security for the incident, but they must have communications with the military in order to make that efficient and safe.
Finally, for some serious COIN stuff, a contractor company could have tons of interaction with a local population do to some reconstruction project, yet when crucial information surfaces, like the location of a IED, and they see a military convoy heading right for that area, there is no way to communicate that instantly. There are tons of little examples of this kind thing in war zones, and timing and capability are everything when it comes to watching each other’s back.
I also think this is great for first responders and for disaster relief operations. For emergencies, communications problems are common, because you get multiple radios and frequencies being used by all sorts of folks that come to help. I ran into this problem as a smokejumper on fires a lot, and during disaster relief operations. Usually you end up spending crucial time during the incident trying coordinate communications so we can manage the incident safely. Something like this device could totally help to unify commands, and eliminate this time consuming activity on incidents, and this will totally save lives and property.
Also, this is a BAE product and I am sure they will be able to answer your COMSEC questions if you are interested in learning more about this thing. They might make an encrypted or some kind of secure version of this, or have some safeguard in place that would alleviate some of the war time concerns. It would also be cool to see them compress this device to a smaller piece of equipment for foot mobile operations. This thing is SAFETY Act approved as well.
Oh, and for disclosure, I do not work for BAE. I am reviewing this product and endorsing it because this is a possible solution to many of the problems that I have witnessed in my various occupations. And if it isn’t perfect, then at least this is a good starting point. –Matt
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First Intercomm™
The First InterComm™ Solution
Whether it is a routine incident or a catastrophe such as an act of terrorism or natural disaster, multiple agencies must respond to the situation and work together.
Today more than 60,000 local, state, and federal agencies have first response roles. Yet their communications equipment operates on different frequencies and operating modes. This often prevents them from sharing vital information that is critical to saving lives, protecting resources, and recovering quickly from an emergency.
A major barrier to true interoperability for these agencies has been the prohibitive costs of new communications equipment. Now BAE Systems provides the cost-effective solution.
The First InterComm device, also called the vehicle communications assembly (VCA), is small enough (8.625” x 8.625” x 2.5”) to be conveniently mounted inside first responder vehicles. Once installed, the VCA relies on vehicle power.
When another vehicle equipped with a First InterComm VCA arrives at the scene, the system automatically creates a temporary mesh network, or an incident-area network (IAN), which enables interoperability. Once tuned to the IAN, each device automatically becomes a node in that mesh network.
When a first responder transmits a radio message, the agency’s First InterComm device receives the RF signal, converts it to a digital signal, and relays it across the mesh network. Every other First InterComm device at the scene then converts the digital message to its designated radio frequency and broadcasts it to its users. First InterComm’s routing algorithms direct transmissions along the optimum route for the best service quality.
That’s all there is to it—instant voice interoperability.
First InterComm devices initially provide a “one-to-many” communications link. The First InterComm talk-group software, running on a Windows® based PC, can be used to provide situational awareness and establish talk groups as required among responding agencies. The incident commander can also establish one-to-one communication channels as required, while monitoring any or all talk groups. This talk-group flexibility is transparent to the responders, and eliminates distracting background chatter.
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The First InterComm™ System
The First InterComm™ system allows radios operating on different frequencies and protocols to communicate with each other. It eliminates the need for major equipment replacements, and its digital technology supports upgrades.
The system unit is small enough (8.625” x 8.625” x 2.5”) to mount inside a vehicle, uses the responder’s radio frequency, runs off the vehicle’s battery, and requires no operator involvement.
Incident commanders can streamline communications through the creation of “talk groups,” thereby eliminating distractions resulting from too many people talking on the radio at the same time.
First InterComm was designed for users like these:
* First responders (police, fire, and emergency medical technicians)
* National Guard
* Departments of public works and utility companies
* HazMat teams
* Federal Emergency Management Agency
* Transportation authorities
* University and school public safety departments
* Industry and government building security departments
* Other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies
Protected by U.S. Patent 7,508,840
For further information please contact:
BAE Systems
First InterComm system
+1 888 45 INTEROP (+1 888 454 6837)
firstintercomm.eis@baesystems.com
Product Link Here.