Comms-ONE

E-One’s latest mobile communications unit proves good things come in small packages

The new buzzword around the fire service: interoperability.  Everybody must be able to talk to everybody else on the same radio frequencies. Often, the solution is a large command van sporting the latest high-tech communications equipment—they’re popping up all over the country. But because not everyone can afford the big command vehicles, fire apparatus manufacturer E-One has developed the next logical solution: the Comms-ONE mobile communications unit.

What if you could have the same capability in a smaller package at half the cost, and not need a broadcast engineer to work the system? Late last year, E-One unveiled the latest in communication vehicles powered by Federal Signal’s suite of public safety software modules, in conjunction with Incident Communication Solutions (ICS).

The system is installed in the rear of a Chevrolet Suburban and provides a user-friendly way for first responders to take command of assets and provide continuity of operations during any type of emergency situation.

How does the system work? Federal Signal’s public safety software suite includes SmartMsg and radio interoperability modules, which enable simultaneous text and voice broadcast of alert notifications to first responders with two-way radios, push-to-talk devices, pagers and wireless PDAs, as well as PCs, PBX, IP-based, cell and satellite phones.

Additional modules provide real-time access to local municipal and state databases, manage a fleet of first responders at any location and provide secondary command and control if an emergency operations center is rendered inoperable during a disaster situation.

Comms-ONE can also provide a satellite link to deliver landline, mobile two-way radio, Wi-Fi access and video in support of incident command and communications when critical infrastructure is unavailable.

I had an opportunity to see firsthand how this vehicle and its components work when it was unveiled at last year’s Fire-Rescue International conference in Atlanta. This vehicle delivers a powerful punch in a small package. It’s packed with radios, computers and satellite equipment, all of which are easy to use with minimal training. And because it’s built on a Suburban, it doesn’t take up much space at an emergency scene.

Comms-ONE received its first test at this year’s Super Bowl. The Glendale (Ariz.) Fire Department (GFD) used the unit in conjunction with another E-One product—the hybrid energy command center dubbed HE-ONE.

Using both units, the GFD was able to feed voice, video and data from three command posts in the vicinity of the stadium to essential command staff at headquarters in support of operations and to increase situational awareness.

“The unit was outstanding and the support it offered was priceless,” says GFD Deputy Chief Chuck Montgomery. “It provided an environmentally controlled command location for one of the many sectors managing the emergency operations. The onboard telescoping camera with Web connecting access gave off-site managers at other locations a live view of the situation on the ground around the stadium.”

Comms-ONE fills the role of larger units that cost a lot more. Like I said previously, it packs a great deal of equipment for the incident commander to use in a small package. And that makes it worth taking a look at if you’re in the market for a command vehicle.

Bob Vaccaro has more than 30 years of fire-service experience. He is a former chief of the Deer Park (N.Y.) Fire Department. Vaccaro has also worked for the Insurance Services Office®, The New York Fire Patrol and several major commercial insurance companies as a senior loss-control consultant.