s.press 2007/1 en

www.swissphone.com

The Swissphone Magazine for Public Safety

Swissphone MPC and secur.mobile the mobile tool of the secur.CAD page 8

Swiss Telepage radiopaging re-networked and synchronized page 4

Out on a shout page 12

August | 2007

INSIDE

CONTENTSEditorial 03

SOLUTIONS

Swiss Telepage radiopaging re-networked and synchronized 04

POCSAG Alerting System for the French Department Eure-et-Loir 06

»W.A. Mozart« backing Swissphone 07

Swissphone MPC and secur.mobile the mobile tool of the secur.CAD 08

Regional Command & Control Centre Network in Lower Saxony, GermanyGreater Safety and Economy 10

PRODUCTSOut on a shout saving lives at sea 12

Convincing through new functionalities secur.CAD Version 4.2 14

»The price-performance ratio is right « A field report of the Tyrolean Fire Brigade 16

BACKGROUNDFundraising Campaign for the Swiss Children’s Cancer Self-Help Group 18

EVENTSSwissphone on location 20

02 | 03

EDITORIALDear Business Partners, Dear Customers,

In addition to implemented projects, we are dedica-ting this edition to the focal topics of mobile vehicle communication.

Following alerting and mobilising, the communication between operational units and the operations coordi-nation team is increasingly gaining importance. Swiss-phone has launched two new products to accom-modate this growing trend: the Swissphone MPC (mobile PC) and the FDM (radio data module). From pure data transmission to conveying position and status data to the central command and con-trol centre, these products provide the controllers with an optimised as well as cost-effective method to manage the mobile operational units, thanks to mod-ular individual adjustable solutions.

Not only does the BOS industry (authorities and or-ganizations with safety/security concerns) rely on the Swissphone technology, but more and more users with high demands in terms of reliability, service quality and of course, the long-term replacement warranty.

That’s exactly why the Royal National Lifeboat Insti-tution (RNLI) chose Swissphone as their supplier of their end devices for operations conducted along the coast of Great Britain and Ireland.

With its optimum functionality, extremely easy instal-lation and reduced operating and maintenance costs, the I-SEARCH alarm system also convinced the industrial fire brigade of the Salzburg airport.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest issue.

Helmut Köchler

Helmut Köchler, President of the Board


lausanne

basel

berne

SOLUTIONS

Swissphone invests in the future:

Swiss Telepage radiopaging – re-networked and synchronized

Radiopaging services provide the ideal prerequisites as alerting systems for emergency and security services in terms of availability, security and full radio communication coverage. For these reasons, Swissphone has modernised the Swiss Telepage radiopaging network and has guaranteed that it is fit for the future with a newly developed infrastructure.

The proverb of the shoemaker with the worst shoes does not apply to Swissphone. At the start of 2006 the existing radiopaging network once established by Swisscom (Switzerland’s leading telecoms com-pany) was subject to an extensive overhaul and ex-pansion. The Swissphone engineers applied the latest knowledge and state-of-the-art technologies.

Thus, the entire distribution network ranging from the paging centre to the more than 500 transmitters has been replaced by a modern VPN that complies with high security standards such as those used by banks. In addition to the VPN links to every base sta-tion, a redundancy system via telephone dial-up

lines has been implemented. Double-stitched is more secure.

Particularly important for a radiopaging network of this size is the synchronization of the transmission via all transmitters to ensure that cancellation of the data transmission is avoided. For this purpose a new synchronisation process via radio has been de-veloped using their own transmitters. This process functions independently of the external infrastructure. The result is called Telepage UNO. This service is available to all customers who place a high priority on transmission security all over Switzerland.

Author: Bernhard Ramseyer · Vice President Management Support, Swissphone Telecom

lucerne

locarno

zurich

04 | 05


Telepage UNO in brief

Radio coverage of more than 99% of the inhab- ited area Common frequency radio network with stable radio

synchronisation of more than 500 transmitters Reception generally possible in the basement High demands on the network quality and

availability (>99.95%) Protection of the system infrastructure with disas-

ter recovery concepts Universal customer access interfaces

In addition to the traditional customer base such as police, fire brigade and emergency services, more and more IT maintenance organisations, hospitals, local authorities, utility companies, doctor emergen-cy call services as well as important industrial and service providers rely on the reliable communica-tion offered by pagers. How is the call transmitted?

The maximum availability of a service should allow the transmission and receipt of radiopaging calls and use of the radiopaging service practically everywhere and at any time. The multimode access of Tele-page UNO accepts radiopaging services via telephone, mobile phone, Internet or from emergency call cen-tres. After authentication of the authorisation level, the call is transmitted in the desired area simultaneously via the transmitters located within this area. This is confirmed to the caller while additionally indicating the current state of the network.

A simple and modular system concept enables optimum call transmission on all transmitters and the constant monitoring of the entire infra-structure (see Fig.).

Thanks to the full radio communication coverage and a dense network of transmitters, receipt of the call is ensured even if one of the transmitters fails.

Commissioning and operation of the new Telepage radio network

A new network structure was commissioned at the start of 2006 after an intensive development period and a complex test phase. A new Network Operation Centre was established in Berne for overall moni-toring of the radiopaging network, extending right down to each individual base station to ensure a 7 x 24 h quality of service. The switchover from the rental line service to a new VPN was implemented by a single mouse click. In seconds, all transmitters in Switzerland were switched over synchronously to the new infrastructure.

After a year of rigourous but smooth day-to-day op-eration, the network was transferred officially in February 2007 to its own operating personnel for an-other ten years.

Positioning of the paging networks

The age of increased mobility has also significantly in-creased the demand for differentiated accessibility.

The paging services adapt to the new demands and often include the entire process chain from the triggering location using the radiopaging networks to end devices.

For rapid and effective mobilisation and alert-ing in exceptional circumstances, the indepen-dent and reliable paging networks is the most efficient means of communication in the first stage of the deployment process.

User Position A Position B Transmission Network

Telepage radiopaging coverage

Radio-pagingcontrol centre

Network Controller

PSTNVPN

Network Management Platform

Synchronisation

Access

PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network | NOC = Network Operation Centre | VPN = Virtual Private Network

NOC

SOLUTIONS

In particular, the option of reaching several participants simultaneously with a radiopaging message enables rapid and differentiated alerting. Experiences from large-scale deployments such as 9/11 in New York, Katarina in New Orleans or the flooding in Engelberg have demonstrated that paging is extremely resistant and in such exceptional cir-cumstances it is often the only initial means of communication.

Thus the end devices with all their special features play an important role. The different specifically de-veloped pager services, such as end-to-end encrypt-ion, dynamic formation of groups, convergence locating systems or even Ex(plosion) protection (ATEX approval), enable additional flexible deployment

possibilities. The second stage employed in emergen-cy communication involves different speech-based communication networks such as PMR, trunked radio and GSM networks or fire brigade radio for tactical deployment.

ConclusionPaging today and in the future fulfils the demand for safer, unambiguous communication with transpa-rent costs and independence from other communi-cation infrastructures.

Further information available at www.swissphone.com

Alarm signals are capable of offering the best levels of availability by virtue of synchronous transmission throughout the entire reception area of the depart-ment. In the event of an emergency, all department specialists (doctors, divers, etc.) can be contactedimmediately. “Eure-et-Loir decided on this sys-tem in particular because it is highly flexible andcan be expanded trouble-free”, explains ColonelDidier Paris, director of SDIS. “This kind of network can be extended to up to eight rings that con-tain up to 128 slave base stations.

This makes it possible for a full-coverage alarm tobe sent out over a very large area in a short amount of time.” Network expansion is also pos-sible with the new ITC2000 basic stations modeled after the Swissphone ITC600 stations.

Swissphone guarantees simple and reliable network control with Clairon 2, the software package for digital alarming in France. This software has from the very beginning been developed according to the specific needs of firemen. It features a refined ergo-nomic design and an intuitive, web-based user inter-face comparable to that of an Internet browser. Clarion 2 can be individually tuned as needed to the var-ious types of deployment calls. As a result, Clarion 2 enables the full operation of emergency call cen-tres, the triggering of alarms for an entire zone, and – thanks to its function as a client server – the simple networking of multiple fire stations.

New Digital POCSAG Alerting System for the French Department Eure-et-Loir

SD

IS 2

8 –

Ale

xand

re

After commissioning the POCSAG radio networks in the departments of Seine-et-Marne and Seine-Maritime, Swissphone outfitted the SDIS (Department of Fire and Rescue) in Eure-et-Loir with a new alerting system. The network supplements the department’s system, which is activated by the CODIS and the alarm response personnel. The network, which consists of a master station located in Chartres and eleven additional basic stations (so-called “slave base stations”) spread over three rings, guarantees the transmission of synchronous digital POCSAG alarm signals at 173 MHz.

Author: Arnaud Marquer · Deputy Sales Director, Swissphone France

06 | 07


»W. A. Mozart« backing Swissphone

The key criteria of Salzburg Airport’s fire service when evaluating its new alerting system were that it should be simple and fast while providing full coverage. I-SEARCH convinced them right down the line.

With almost two million passengers, over 21,000 take-offs and landings per year and an area of around 175 hectares, Salzburg Airport, named “W. A. Mozart Airport”, is Austria‘s largest federal state airport. The requirement for full-coverage alerting was conse-quently central when the airport fire brigade was sounding out a new alerting solution. The existing, analogue system was not able to meet this demand.

Based on paging technology, the I-SEARCH wire-less alerting system already covers up to 3 sq. km with only one transmitter. Owing to the fact that the system is designed as a web server, multiple software installation is not necessary. This allows extremely simple installation and minimises operating and maintenance costs.

After only three hours installation time, Salzburg Air-port was able to commission the new alerting solu-tion with one Master and two Slaves. The two Slaves, connected via LAN, form the second alerting ring that transmits the alarm after a short time offset.

Demand-orientated terminal devices

Some of the digital pagers used are specific to certain individuals, being assigned to the Commander, his deputy and the Administrator. Individual scenarios are combined with an RIC (Radio Identification

Code, i.e. the identification number of the receiver), consequently allowing what is called group calls. With only one transmission, the entire group is alerted simultaneously. This ensures fastest possible alerting.

The Duty Officer is able to choose from predefined fixed texts and assign them to the individual sce-narios. These cover the operating resources required in each case for the current incident with their RICs. This allows alerting to be performed with maximum flexibility but nevertheless incident-specifically, with-out having to make a whole chain of calls.

Radiopaging calls are made every minute to monitor the field strength of the pagers. The fire brigade was concerned that radio coverage may not be com-plete, particularly in the area of the catacombs beneath the airfield. However, the optimally selected locations quickly dispelled these fears. The system is currently used only by the fire brigade in this initial roll-out phase. The alerting system’s flexibility allows integration of other applications, such as optimising logistics control. Consequently, the Airport will avail of unlimited options.

Author: Richard Berger · Sales Manager, Swissphone Austria

SOLUTIONS

Swissphone MPC (Mobile PC) is a PC system suitable for use in vehicles for fixed integration in the vehicle. It can be fitted in the DIN-format radio slot or at any point in the vehicle. As a complete PC system with numerous ports, the MPC offers the whole range of options provided by a personal computer. Integrati-on of GSM/GPRS and GPS, besides PC card slot, make it an ideal working tool for an extremely wide

variety of tasks in the vehicle. Its internal modular de-sign allows low-cost hardware configuration for use in vehicle fleets. Any functional add-ons required us-ing the integrated Mini-PCI slot and other ports cre-ate margin for innovative fields of application.

Author: Rolf Bürle · Product Manager, Swissphone Systems

Swissphone MPC and secur.mobile – the mobile tool of the secur.CAD Command & Control System

Work at a Command & Control Centre is, to an increasing extent, subject to competitive pressure and is impacted to a greater extent accordingly by factors such as time and costs. Dispatchers are reliant on information that they frequently obtain only by exchanging data and communication with alarm response personnel resources in order to meet these requirements. Consequently, a modern fleet management system is required with additional functions aimed specifically at the user. It has proven practical to opt for a PC as the basis for the solution concept.

08 | 09

Easy operation and integrated theft protection

Data is displayed either on a terminal unit that is at-tached either as a surface-mounted terminal or on the dashboard or is displayed on a built-in terminal fitted in the centre console of the vehicle. The secur.mobile application software is operated using a graphical user interface on the touch screen.

The GUI’s design allows even inexperienced users to operate the system without the need for time-intensive familiarisation.

The system is booted up automatically when the ig-nition is turned on at the start of the shift. The Login mask prompts the crew to identify themselves with their PIN. If the vehicle is moved without the driver identifying himself or herself beforehand, a message is sent to the secur.CAD Command & Control system indicating “unauthorised vehicle use” todispatchers. This is an important step for theft protection.

Automatic scheduling proposal

The location coordinates of the alarm response per-sonnel resources are determined via GPS and sent cyclically to the Command & Control Centre (C&CC). The numerous manual and automatic location coordinate transmissions ensure that the individual alarm response personnel resources are always shown with current status and position on the Graphical Information System (GIS). Consequently, using the secur.CAD //routing add-on module, it is possible to offer the dispatcher an automatic scheduling proposal on the basis of the “nearest-vehicle strategy”.

After a vehicle has been assigned a call-out, the over-all call-out mandate can be transferred to the MPC via GPRS without using the BOS service channel. The destination coordinates for the scene of oper-ations are also transferred, automatically triggering route calculation by the MPC. Status messages can be transferred in the normal way.

In addition, sub-statuses are available for statuses 3 and 6 (e.g. callout mandate accepted or para-medic accepted), allowing detailed logging. The sys-tem also provides information on usage of response vehicle priority signal systems (blue light and siren) for the call-out log. The mileage driven is signalled to the C&C system, not least for reasons relating to billing and for statistical purposes.

Apart from the extended FMS function, FMS short-text function and integrated navigation system, Swissphone’s MPC and secur.mobile offer further options to assist alarm response workflow. Even the basic version includes a function for automatical-ly setting status messages. This allows watertight logging of the chronological alarm response workflow.

Hospital bed search from the vehicle

In future, it will also be possible to start a search for hospital beds directly from the vehicle by accessing the bed availability list of the command and control system. Other additional functions such as read-in of health insurance ID card data, implementing call-out logs (e.g. DIVI), integrating hazardous sub-stances databases and response plans, besides ac-cess to the call-out log in the command and control system, round off the range.

If the corresponding interfaces to peripherals (e.g. reversing or thermal imaging camera and medical devices such as ECG units) are available, these de-vices can also be linked to the system.

First customers have already recognised the major benefits and flexible adaptation options of the sys-tem for their field of operations. The “Rettungszweck-verband Saar” (Saarland Joint Local Rescue Ser-vices Body) that is responsible for the rescue service and ambulance service throughout the entire areaof the Saarland in Germany has already ordered over 100 systems for interworking their entire vehicle fleet with secur.CAD C&C system.

In addition to the already described solution, Swiss-phone also offers another product for communica-tion with alarm response vehicles: Swissphone FDM (German: Funk-Daten-Modul; English: radio data module). Besides straight-forward data transmission, the modular design concept also enables the FDM to integrate a connection with a navigation system as well as accommodating the requirements of the user. Migration from FDM and MPC is planned for the future. Combined operation involving both MPC and FDM within a vehicle fleet is possible at any given time.

Swissphone MPC and secur.mobile – the mobile tool of the secur.CAD Command & Control System


SOLUTIONS

Author: Angelika Maier · Marketing, Swissphone Systems

Regional Command & Control Centre Network in Lower Saxony, Germany:

Greater Safety and

Economy

As the three District Administrators of the three Rural Districts put it on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony, the Command & Control Centre (C&CC) Network consummates a cooperation that is unique in this form nationwide in Germany and that will be a role model. Looking back, the Rural Districts of Rotenburg (Wümme), Soltau-Fallingbostel and Harburg tasked Swissphone with the job of technical im-plementation of what is called a C&CC Network in mid-2006. It was planned to network the three dis-trict C&CC that had worked independently to date and whose task it was to accept emergency calls and alert alarm response resources and alarm re-sponse personnel.

This C&CC Network concept was to take into account the demand on the part of Lower Saxony’s Ministry of the Interior to cut the number of C&CC for reasons of economy. In addition, the network complied with the targets of enhancing safety of the public in the Rural Districts and retaining the locations of the C&CC.

This operating model interlinked the individual C&CC both with respect to communication technology and with respect to the operations control computer after the technology had been standardised accor-dingly. The computers at the C&CC swap all infor-mation via data lines virtually in real time. This system was implemented technically by “intelligent routing” of the emergency calls in the event of over-flow, i.e. the system detects unused emergency call lines of the other and defines priorities.

Advantages are afforded by new resultant syn-ergism effects and the use of shared resources:

for instance, important, direct communication be-tween Disaster Control Headquarters and the C&CC is assured in the event of a disaster or major incident. In addition, schedulers can communicate with each other at any time by videoconference.

The Command & Control Centre Network of the three Rural Districts of Soltau-Fallingbostel, Rotenburg and Harburg in Germany was officially placed into operation in April. The network allows emergency deployment assignments to be accepted and coordinated efficiently via a joint system – while retaining the distributed workstations.

10 | 11

EWE-TEL

Work positions

Switch

Winsen/Harburg

SB/SE

VoIP-compatible Network 10/100 Mbit/s

Soltau

SB/SE

Work positions

Telephone system

SB/SE

Rotenburg

FirewallWork positions

Firewall

Switch

Switch

Telephone system

Telephone system

Firewall


Since the existing C&CC locations have been re-tained, it is possible to utilise the precise local knowledge of the relevant personnel, which may bring with it a vital time saving in relation to handling of response assignments in an emergency. The sched-ulers are assisted in this by a GIS (Geographical Information System) in which important details are saved for precise localisation of the scenes of operations.

Enhanced efficiency and flexibility

Central database management at the cluster location and distributed access options allow any network partner to accept and process calls. Each location ensures the same high quality and speed. Whereas callers were put on hold owing to lines being busy previously, emergency calls are now signalled at the two other C&CC after a brief switchover time and can be accepted there. The emergency assign-ment is accepted on a proxy basis, and it is, in turn, returned to the regionally responsible C&CC for processing. This procedure is very much in touch with the community’s needs and prevents waiting times that are so unwelcome, particularly in an emer-gency.

Human resources of the three C&CC can now be uti-lised to better effect. If there is a high workload on one side, for example in one of the three C&CC areas in the event of an emergency or major disaster, it is possible for agreements to be reached on delega-tion of tasks so that, for instance, the C&CC re-sponsible for the area in question deals only with the disaster situation itself and the two other partner C&CC take over routine call-outs.

The C&CC are frequently manned only by a single person in what is called “off-peak times”, such as during the night-time. Nevertheless, the C&CC Net-work still meets legal requirements for a human-resources fall-back level.

The following scenarios indicate the possibilities afforded by the network:

If someone in need of help from Rotenburg Dis-trict calls the emergency call number, his or her call is signalled in Zeven and, at the same time, displayed at the two other C&CC. If the call is not taken with-in the defined time of 10 seconds (e.g. owing to a temporary overload as the result of a major incident), the call is signalled in the neighbouring C&CC.

Since all C&CC operate with one database, a sched-uler of the neighbouring C&CC can accept the call, analyse the incident and trigger an alert. The trans-action can then be returned to Zeven for it to take charge of the response.

Telephone lines are torn down during building work in Soltau, and the data link remains sound. In this case, emergency calls can be rerouted via one of the two neighbouring C&CC, but signalling and re-sponse processing are still performed via the data network in Soltau.

Major incident in the District of Harburg. A deci-sion is taken to deal with only transactions relating to this incident in Winsen itself. Telephone calls are accepted and responses are controlled for all other incidents by one of the two other C&CC. Each sched-uler is able to step in for the partner C&CC without having to rethink owing to the standardised work-flow in all three Districts.

PRODUCTS

North-north-west and wind force nine: A deep low is drawn over a wide stretch of England’s coastal areas. That often portends a long and hard day for the rescue teams of the Royal National Lifeboat In-stitution (RNLI). Whether distress-at-sea calls from fishing trawlers, sailboats or high-tech yachts gone astray – the RNLI was alerted approximately

8,377 times last year and tallied in total rescue actions involving over 8,000 persons.

Available both day and night, more than 200,000 members and 4,800 crew members (predominantly volunteers) as well as 330 boats stand ready to sail out to rescue areas from the 230 stations encir-cling the coasts of England and Ireland (see map).

Out on a shout – saving lives at sea

As a registered charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provides, on call, a 24-hour life-boat search and rescue service around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the course of constant improvement of its Call out and Communication System RNLI has chosen Swissphone as equip-ment supplier.

Author: Deborah Bucher · Corporate Communications, Swissphone Telecom

12 | 13


When someone in the UK or the Republic of Ireland dials 999 or 112, the operator directs the call to the appropriate emergency service. For emergencies at sea, the call goes to the Maritime and Coast-guard Agency in the UK or the Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland. They contact the lifeboat operations manager of the corresponding lifeboat station to request the launch of the boat. If per-mission is given to launch, the lifeboat crew is alerted by pager.

Thousands of volunteer crew members, shore helpers and fundraisers give their time, skill and commitment to help saving lives at sea - strongly supported by specialists. Continuous training takes place at lifeboat stations, in mobile training units that visit the coast and at the Lifeboat College − opened by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2004 − at the RNLI‘s headquarters in Poole.

Meet the fleet

Currently, RNLI comprises in total 330 boats and ships in ten various classes as well as four hover-craft, whereby the fleet units include vessels ranging from five to 17 meters. In addition, 112 reserve boats and one reserve hovercrafts are also available.

Depending on class and location, lifeboats are launched in a variety of ways. Basically, there are

three main ways of launching an all-weather lifeboat: from a mooring, down a slipway or from a carriage, which is hauled across the beach by a tractor. In-shore lifeboats are launched from a trolley, a shore-mounted crane or a floating boathouse.

With a working life of approximately 25 years, all-weather boats can operate in any weather. They are self-righting after a capsize and fitted with modern navigation, location and communication equipment. Inshore lifeboats usually operate closer to the shore. They are able to work in shallower water, close to cliffs, sometimes amongst rocks or even in caves.

Continuous work on developing new classes of life-boats and making improvements to existing ones enables the RNLI to continue to meet the changing needs of the lifeboat service.

Replacement and Maintenance of RNLI’s pagers

Within the next three years RNLI’s digital pagers for alerting will gradually be replaced. This will be fully managed by Arqiva, Swissphone’s local partner which is also in charge of both supplying and con-figuring the pagers. Additionally, Arqiva will carry out performance testing and offer training to RNLI staff and volunteers before the devices are installed at lifeboat stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

PRODUCTS

Users and C&CC operators were unanimous: the new software release is a convincing one. The current version is an exceedingly reliable system with new, enhanced functionalities for even more convenient application, aiming at allowing incoming emergency calls and other calls to be accepted and dealt with particularly effectively.

The Accept Assignment dialog box has been supple-mented with the “Fast Input” function that can be used to quickly display the scene of operations even if only partial information is entered as the search string. For example, it suffices to enter simply the street/road and house number or place and object. This is useful, primarily if the scheduler is unable to have a detailed knowledge of the location on a full-coverage basis owing to the size of the area. One other advantage: search strings can be entered in one single box in order to save time.

Easier assignment processing thanks to Mission Management Console

The scope of functions of secur.CAD has been ex-tended with the Mission Management Console (MMC). The “everything at a glance” principle facil-itates the scheduler’s job of assignment processing. MMC is a dialog box containing all overviews and functions important for scheduling. It allows the scheduler to take charge of the assignment without having to switch between separate overviews and dialog boxes. Various tabs and buttons facilitate navi-gation. It is not necessary to open context menus.

MMC ensures simple and fast follow-up scheduling of response resources and response personnel in the “Destination Area Sequence”, i.e. a vehicle pro-posal list is displayed, sorted by distance to the scene of operations.

Convincing through new functionalities –

secur.CAD Version 4.2 Throughout Germany numerous C&CCs (Command & Control Centres) have been equipped with the latest software, secur.CAD Version 4.2, in recent months. C&CC staff are able to familiarise themselves with the new capabilities of the updated software “hands-on” in local training courses.

Mission Management Console (MMC)

14 | 15

Author: Angelika Maier · Marketing, Swissphone Systems The Swissphone Magazine for Public Safety

Convenient handling with the MMC is possible even if an assignment needs to be escalated, i.e. if a common fire develops into a large-scale fire requiring additional response resources and response per-sonnel. It is also possible to quickly change the oper-ation codeword if, for instance, a firefighting assignment develops to become a hazardous sub-stances assignment.

Assignment breakdown and expansion of GIS as additional new features

An extended breakdown of assignments allows the new “Regionalisation” function. This allows the scopes of authority of the schedulers to be split. A situation-dependent area breakdown is advanta-geous for dealing with flood disaster assignments, for instance. Since this impacts not the entire scope of authority of the C&CC but only certain areas (such as areas along a body of water), the flooded areas can be split between the schedulers so as to achieve as uniform a utilisation of capacity as possible.

The secur.CAD //GIS Geographical Information Sys-tem has also been extended with numerous fun-ctions: The Vehicle Status Display (VSD) for displaying the response resources has been fully revised. It features a new layout with many additional functions for configuration. Besides the standard display of-fering an overview of all response resources, it is pos-sible to open a separate Vehicle Status Display for each assignment.

Depending on the requirements of the C&CC, it is possible to configure various views of the Vehicle Status Display. On the one hand, a classic separation by rescue service and fire brigade and, on the other, specific views, e.g. only fire appliances or external vehicles.

The secur.CAD software package is subject to on-going further development. If a large number of improvements or additional functions have been developed, this results in a new version. The transition from the preceding version to the new version is referred to as an upgrade.

On the other hand, an update hardly contains any new functions and, if it does, these new functions are not of central significance. The scope of perfor-mance of the software package is not essentially enhanced by an update.

A patch essentially fixes bugs in the software or adds minor enhancements.

Terms used in the sector of software application:

Dialog box (or input mask) contains various selection options or entry fields. A typical dialog box is used to enter passwords for instance. If a dialog box has several pages, these can be shown on tabs.

The term tooltip is used to refer to brief additional information shown in a “speech balloon”. These speech balloons are displayed automatically when you hover over a button with the mouse.

Views or spreadsheets are tabular overviews on screen.

Vehicle status display (VSD)

PRODUCTS

Swissphone: What alerting technology do Tyrolean fire brigades back?

Erler: Local transmission of alerts to the pagers, bas-ed on the open POCSAG Standard, has replaced analogue technology with five-tone transmission. Dis-trict alarm alert centres used to be alerted locally. Now that the alerting network and the Integrated Regional Command and Control Centre ILL in Innsbruck have been completed, the entire alerting system is based centrally. It alerts both the fire brigades throughout the whole of Tyrol and also res-cue services and mountain rescue.

Swissphone: Why did you decide on this network conversion?

Gruber: Basically, we had already been talking about replacing the 25-year-old technology for ten years.

Erler: To us, it simply made sense to allow the new generation to take over by transitioning to POCSAG and convert voice radio communication to TETRA at one and the same time as the latter is, after all, already in use throughout almost all of Tyrol.

Swissphone: What terminal devices were used previously?

Gruber: Analogue terminal devices, but supplemented with isolated insular systems via POCSAG.

Swissphone: Why do you think the fire brigades in the Kufstein region opted for Swissphone?

Erler: Well, there were certainly several aspects that were important. The fire brigades, during the run-up, had the chance to get a hands-on feel of the quality of the devices. In addition, the chargers of the receivers of the analogue RE429 series that were already in frequent use can also be used for the DE925. This means that the fire brigade can save money.

Swissphone: From your point of view, were there specific technical challenges that needed to be coped with and, consequently, corresponding require-ments that you made of the new receivers?

Gruber: Right from the very start, we considered POCSAG to be the alerting standard of the future. The ILL for instance demanded 128 call addresses. We also wanted to ensure that the option of being able to activate and deactivate the terminal device via the air interface would be supported for future applications in the terminal device. Admittedly, en-cryption of the equipment is not currently planned, but we may consider this in the future.

The

The price-performance ratio is right – not only for the terminal device« A field report of the Tyrolean Fire Brigade

»

Conversion to a POCSAG alerting network throughout the entire region of Tyrol/Austria has also neces-sitated a change to the corresponding terminal devices. The Tyrolean Fire Brigade Association is backing purchase of Swissphone digital pagers of Type DE925. Honorary Representative of the Tyrolean Fire Brigades, Fire Brigade Director Klaus Erler, and Representative of the Regional Government in the Regional Fire Brigade Association, Regional Fire Brigade Inspector Dipl.-Ing. Alfons Gruber, talk about the background, implementation and initial experience gained.

Fire Brigade Director Klaus Erler

Regional Fire Brigade Inspector Dipl. Ing. Alfons Gruber

Author: Richard Berger · Sales Manager, Swissphone Austria

16 | 17


The

The price-performance ratio is right – not only for the terminal device« A field report of the Tyrolean Fire Brigade

»

Swissphone: Since when have the new pagers been in use or as of when will they be in use?

Erler: The Kufstein Region is already alerted using the new system, and using the new equipment as well. All other Regions are to follow this year. Roll-out com-menced in December.

Swissphone: And what is your initial experience with the new receivers?

Erler: Our staff have demonstrated very good accep-tance of the equipment on converting to POCSAG. However, we will not be able to provide more initial information on our experience until after complete conversion.

Swissphone: How do rate Swissphone as a partner?

Gruber: We rate Swissphone as a very competent and innovative partner.

Erler: The price-performance ratio is right, not only for the terminal device.

Swissphone: What do you expect of Swissphone as a partner in future?

Erler: Training for the new equipment during our radio workshop, continuous support and good relation-ship management, in addition to spare parts warranty. The partner’s service and proximity to the customer locally simply have to be right.

Swissphone: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.

Headquarters of the Tyrolean Fire Brigade

Tyrol in figures:

Area: 12,648 sq. km Number of Inhabitants: 692,281Municipalities: 279Fire brigades: 1 professional fire brigade (Innsbruck) 341 voluntary fire brigades 21 works fire brigadesNumber of members: around 32,000Callouts per year: around 10,000

BACKGROUND

Fundraising Campaign for the Swiss

Children’s Cancer Self-Help Group

Author: Hans-Jörg Häberli · Management Support, Swissphone Wireless

18 | 19


The EU’s so-called RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) that has been in force since 1 July 2006 prohibits a number of haz-ardous substances such as lead, mercury or cad-mium in electrical and electronic equipment. Picking up from this, the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) attempts to pro-mote recycling and reuse of terminal devices. As early as 2003, Swissphone paved the way fully for lead-free production and increased recycling. In March 2006, the market leader in the alerting sector complied with all requirements for lead-free elec-tronics production and was thus one of the first com-panies in Europe to implement the RoHS require-ments. All receivers and chargers produced now meet the new WEEE Directives.

Successful bring-in and exchange scheme for a good cause

There are currently still between 80,000 and 90,000 old pagers on the Swiss market. During the course

of introduction of new devices and associated envi-ronment-friendly disposal of the old devices, the Swiss subsidiary organised an extraordinary bring-in and exchange and fundraising campaign in the second six months of 2006. Customers were urged to exchange their old pager by a new, lead-free model. Swissphone Wireless donated an amount of money to help children with cancer for each new device ordered. Around 10,000 Swiss Francs were raised for the Swiss Children‘s Cancer Self-Help Group in this way.

With its bring-in and exchange scheme and fund-raising campaign, Swissphone highlighted its role as market leader on the one hand and showed that people and the environment are an important con-cern for the company on the other. Those topics will continue playing an important role at Swissphone.

Environmental pollutants such as lead have been prohibited in electrical and electronic equipment since 1 July 2006 pursuant to the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS Directive). The Swissphone Group decided to back a “lead-free future” at a very early point and has been producing only terminal devices that do not contain lead since July 2005. In the second six months of 2006, the European market leader in the alerting sector organised a bring-in and exchange scheme in Switzerland for devices containing lead, raising around 10,000 Swiss Francs for the Swiss Children’s Cancer Self-Help Group.

EVENTS

IMPRINT

Edited and published by:

Swissphone Telecom AG Corporate Communications

Fälmisstrasse 21CH-8833 Samstagern

Swissphone on location

Design:

d'art Visuelle Kommunikation GmbHAdlerstrasse 41 D-70199 Stuttgart

[email protected]

Tel.: +41 44 786 77 70 Fax: +41 44 786 77 71

[email protected]

Agenda 2007

Date Occasion Place Background information

03 to 06 September International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO Kielce (POL) www.targikielce.pl/targi/mspo/en/

26 to 29 September National Congress of the French Fire Brigade Clermont-Ferrand, www.congres2007.pompiers.fr Puy-de-Dôme (FRA)

09 to 11 October PMRExpo Leipzig (GER) www.pmrexpo.de

13 to 16 November Sicherheit (Trade for Safety and Security) Zürich (SUI) www.sicherheit-messe.ch

s.press 2007/1 en

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