Streaming technology gives control room operators eyes on the ground at emergency incidents
17th Mar 2021
Technology leader APD Communications has released ground-breaking streaming software providing unparalleled visibility from emergency incidents and potentially a huge range of other situations.
APD Stream enables control room staff to send a simple link Uniform Resource Locator (URL)via text message or email to a caller reporting an emergency incident, enabling them to livestream video from a smartphone or other device at any location.
Technology leader APD Communications has released ground-breaking new streaming software, APD Stream, providing unparalleled visibility from emergency incidents for control room operators.
This gives the control room operator eyes on the ground at the caller’s location, enabling them to assess any situation rapidly and effectively and make fully informed dispatch decisions.
APD has introduced the technology as the latest tool to support emergency services control room teams to protect the community and potentially save more lives.
The simple and seamless software also has a pioneering voice and text language translation function, saving vital time and resources, and a private chat facility for callers who may be in a situation where they are unable or frightened to speak.
A desktop view of APD Stream, which enables control room staff to send a simple URL link to a caller reporting an emergency incident, enabling them to livestream video from a smartphone or other device at any location.
APD Stream quickly gathers critical information in real-time through secure access to incidents as they unfold, which could include control room employees connecting live to frontline police officers wearing body cameras.
Information can be shared with multiple agencies and can also benefit other organisations outside of the emergency services, including home visits by housing association workers, tradespeople, triage calls for hospital or GP appointments, and security and stewarding at events venues.
A view of video delivered via the new pioneering APD Stream software from a mobile phone to a control room operator, enabling them to assess emergency situations rapidly and effectively and make fully informed dispatch decisions.
APD Stream could even support utilities companies or breakdown services, including drivers of broken down vehicles who need a problem assessing, and insurance companies which need to visibly inspect damage to household furniture.
APD Managing Director Mike Isherwood says APD Stream can play a vital role in informing control room teams to make the right dispatch decisions faster than ever before.
Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of APD Communications, said: “Stream has the potential to help the public engage with many different organisations, businesses and sectors to overcome the need for some home visits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst delivering a world-class service.
“For users, there’s no need to download an app and for organisations they can engage effectively with the public and make records of incidents and investigations, including footage and conversations in multiple languages, which can be revisited at a later date.
“Stream also enables organisations to use Google Maps within the application, including location and Street View, allowing someone to be dispatched to the person in need, should the need arise.
“We understand the extreme challenges and pressures operators face when deploying resources and Stream can play a vital role in informing them to make the right dispatch decisions faster than ever before."
As with all of APD’s innovations, the development of Stream has been supported by feedback from a user group of customers drawn from emergency services organisations, across a range of roles, from call handlers to IT infrastructure managers.
The introduction of APD Stream comes after the technology specialist launched APD Maps, the cloud-based software which optimises emergency services’ response to incidents and enables blue light teams to reach locations rapidly with pinpoint accuracy.
APD Maps locates emergency responders, callers, vehicles, incidents, points of interest and even the nearest defibrillators anywhere at the touch of a button, providing enhanced visibility for both control room dispatchers and frontline teams. It also integrates with Google Street View, CCTV camera locations, real-time traffic flow information, highways data and automatic number plate recognition.
To find out more about APD Stream, or to arrange a demonstration of the product, visit www.apdcomms.com/stream
Further information about APD Maps is available at www.apdcomms.com/maps