BAE Systems successfully deployed its First InterComm® radio interoperability system in Hempstead and West Hempstead, New York, in June and July 2008.
In June and July, West Hempstead monitored 162 fire alarms for the two departments, improving response time and coordination to fight six major structure fires. The new radio interoperability allowed the volunteer fire departments to alert personnel quicker; coordinate rapid response en route by instantly exchanging assessments of a fire's nature, intensity, and extent; gauge the danger of entering the fire area; and coordinate the most effective techniques for positioning equipment and personnel to extinguishing the fire.
Enhanced radio interoperability improved location and rescue of those endangered, allowing instant discussions about strategy to contain the fire and protect adjacent areas, position equipment to ventilate the fire area to allow for the escape of heat and toxic gases, and finally to extinguishing the fire efficiently and safely.
