MONITOR / REACT
Visually monitor emergency situations in real-time

BROADCAST / SHARE
Broadcast video from an emergency situation to command and control centers

COLLABORATE / PARTICIPATE
Collaborate across agencies in a time of crisis

VBCast Products
> VBrick WM Appliances

VBCast Partner
CommsFirst

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Challenge
Quickly establish remote video communications channels between first responders and command centers in an area where previous infrastructure is inadequate or has collapsed.

"Private video conversations give me the opportunity to see the intensity in the eyes of the first responders; during emergency situations, the non-verbal becomes extremely important."
Michael Helfrich, Network Centric Solutions
CommsFirst

During emergency situations and natural disasters, reestablishing communications is the first step to regaining command and control. CommsFirst brings a temporary communication infrastructure back to affected areas quickly, giving first responders the ability to speak with command and control centers upon arrival.

Without proper video communication, these back channels aren’t able to see the extent of a situation for themselves, creating situations where truly effective decision making becomes difficult. CommsFirst needed a video solution for their vehicles that would provide live on-scene broadcasts using an energy efficient, rugged device that was portable enough to fit in existing rack spaces and set up within minutes.

Solution
A mobile communications center that provides on-scene video communications between first responders and command centers independently of local infrastructure.

"Within eight to ten minutes of arriving at an incident or disaster site we can rapidly establish video communications."

Michael Helfrich, Network Centric Solutions
CommsFirst

Lightweight, rugged WM Appliances bring high-quality video capabilities to CommsFirst vehicles that are both portable and energy efficient. With these systems installed, first responders simply plug a camera into the VBrick and within minutes are broadcasting live video of an incident to their command and control center. Receiving live video from the scene of the incident allows commanders to interpret situations for themselves, resolving the need for lengthy descriptions of damage reports.

Benefit
Operations vehicles provide mission critical video solutions to first responders.

"Not only does VBrick technology allow first responders on-scene to have a better view of whats going on, but it also lets us feed it to our backchannels who support every single mission that we run."

Ron Hollister, First Responder
CommsFirst

When CommsFirst vehicles pull up to an emergency situation or natural disaster, video communications are established with command and control centers within eight to ten minutes. The small, 12-pound units use little rack space in the vehicles and operate under extreme conditions. They transmit video using IP satellites mounted on top of the operations vehicles and require only small amounts of battery power. Live video feeds can now be delivered to police, fire, medical and government officials, allowing collaboration among groups that will bring emergency situations under control quickly and safely.