How rugged technology is driving transformation in fire and rescue

Mobile Data Terminals on Getac device playing a key role during an incident to assess and plan responses.

Equipment has always played a key role in firefighting. From the humble bucket and hose through to the advanced vehicles and pumps used today, better equipment means a more efficient response, helping firefighters deal with incidents faster and save lives.

But as the complexity of buildings, materials and incidents has grown, so too has the need for new digital technologies that enable crews to coordinate effectively and arrive at incidents with a detailed knowledge of what they are about to face.

For this reason, digital transformation has become more and more important throughout the industry. Modern fire and rescue services are increasingly equipping both vehicles and personnel with digital devices that can be relied on for communication and knowledge sharing while en route to an emergency incident, when at the scene itself and once back at the station.

However, fire and rescue is notoriously hard on IT equipment, meaning most consumer-orientated devices simply aren’t up to the task. The result is high failure rates (that can quickly put rescue operations in jeopardy) and poor return on investment – something no publicly funded organisation can justify.

In order to meet the demands of the sector, devices need to be able to cope with extreme temperatures and weather conditions, as well as the frequent mishandling, knocks and drops that are all par for the course while attending emergency incidents. As such, a growing number of organisations are looking to rugged technology to fulfil their operational needs, as well as achieve the low total cost of ownership (TCO) they are looking for.

Rugged technology has evolved significantly

There’s a lingering misconception in certain quarters that rugged technology involves some sort of trade-off, whether it be cost, weight, size, or performance. While this may have been true in the past, it’s certainly not the case anymore. Most of these misconceptions date back many years to original rugged devices that were designed primarily for military use. Back then, military organisations wanted devices that were as rugged as possible, and they were willing to make compromises in order to achieve this.

However, fast forward to today and things have changed considerably. While there is still demand for extreme rugged devices in certain sectors, rugged manufacturers like Getac now offer a wide range of devices that provide a better balance between rugged reliability, form factor and technical performance. Such devices are much better suited to sectors like the emergency services, where rugged reliability is just one factor in the overall purchasing decision. What’s more, ongoing advances in technology and manufacturing techniques are closing these gaps even further, resulting in affordable rugged devices that offer the same specification and performance of standard devices, but with the added benefits that rugged provides.

Getac device working and reliable in extreme temperatures.

Purpose built for the needs of fire and rescue

Leading rugged manufacturers work closely with customers to design and build devices that solve the challenges they face every day. They also boast strong relationships with industry partners that allow them to offer complete hardware and software solutions incorporating devices, secure vehicle docks, carrying solutions and specialist applications. Below are two examples of use cases within fire and rescue, where device design has been shaped around the unique requirements of the sector:

Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs)

MDTs play a key role in modern emergency response, serving multiple purposes during an incident. These include risk assessment and response planning while en route, accessing hazardous material SOPs, building schematics and vehicle databases, navigation, data/image capture and communication while at the scene. On top of this, they often need to be used in cramped environments (such as the vehicle cabin) and challenging weather conditions/temperatures (including rain and snow), as well as in full kit – including gloves – that can make operation extremely difficult.

In response to these needs, Getac’s tablets feature a number of design elements to optimise usability and efficiency. These include a range of powerful connectivity options, such as Bluetooth, 4G, WiFi-6 and dedicated GPS, for rapid communication and data sharing from any location. They also feature large touchscreens that can be operated in all weathers – and even whilst wearing gloves – as well as programmable buttons that let users quickly access the apps and data they need in a single click. Furthermore, devices like the F110 fully rugged tablet offer drop resistance of up to 6ft while in use and a temperature operating range of -29°C to +63°C (-20°F to 145°F) for peace of mind in every scenario.

Secondary terminals

Many fire and rescue teams also use secondary terminals for routine, non-emergency duties, such as building fire assessments. In these environments, device focus is on light weight, long battery life (typically eight hours or more in a single charge), strong data security features, in case the device is lost or stolen, and, of course, rugged reliability to survive any rough treatment.

Again, Getac rugged tablets like the F110 and UX10 are designed to meet these needs, with features including compact form factor, high-capacity hot-swappable batteries, the latest data-security technology and a range of secure carrying options for ease of use when in the field.

Like many industries and sectors, digital transformation is rapidly changing the way fire and rescue operations are conducted around the world. But in order to operate efficiently, organisations need devices and solutions they can rely on in even the most challenging environments. For this reason, a growing number of them are choosing rugged solutions that balance the power and usability of a business device with the reliability and specialist design of a purpose-built solution, resulting in the best of both worlds.

Case study

Rosenbauer provides a powerful and reliable solution for Amstetten’s firefighters with the Getac F110 fully rugged tablet

‘Firefighters have to deal with new challenges and extreme weather conditions every day. They must also be able to rely on vehicles that are equipped with advanced technology that can precisely identify the geographical position of an incident and immediately understand the emergency situation at hand. All the critical events that are typical of this job put crews under extreme pressure. This is why firefighters today need reliable tools like the Getac F110 fully rugged tablet to deal with these challenges confidently.’

Thomas Hartinger – Rosenbauer EMEREC Mobile Information System Manager

Challenge

Firefighters constantly face extreme conditions and are called upon to handle all manner of emergencies, including commercial, residential and vehicle fires. Other dangerous incidents they contend with include industrial emergencies, toxic chemical spills, gas leaks, floods and various rescue operations that may occur during any of these situations. Such operations can take place at any time and in any weather conditions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, any day of the year. Their mission is to protect the public in all environments, on any terrain, at all costs. Precisely because of the challenging conditions they work in, firefighters must be able to rely on vehicles, devices and equipment that are of the highest quality and reliability.

Rosenbauer is one of the most important suppliers of firefighting vehicles and equipment in the world. The Austrian company has 150 years of experience creating systems that help institutions protect and save lives. Rosenbauer’s products – and the success of its clients – depend on the most modern cutting-edge technology. This is why the Austrian company constantly strives to create solutions that can provide the highest level of performance and dependability.

Reliability and speed are what firefighters must deliver every day to the citizens they keep safe, and this is only possible when the most advanced and innovative technologies are used. A tablet that has not been designed to work in all weather conditions or emergency software that is not up to the job at hand can cause delays and errors during operations that could prove fatal.

These essential criteria are what Rosenbauer managers took as their starting point to create the most suitable solution to meet their clients’ demands.

Getac Select™ software and device supporting quick response times when on scene.

Solution

Rosenbauer, together with Getac and its partner Mettenmeier, developed a complete solution based on the Getac F110 fully rugged tablet and EMEREC mobile information management software, which has now successfully been adopted by the fire department of Amstetten, Austria.

The Getac F110 fully rugged tablet proved to be the best hardware solution for Rosenbauer because it combines the most innovative technology with an extremely rugged chassis that can take on any kind of extreme situation.

Thomas Hartinger, Rosenbauer’s EMEREC mobile information system manager, said: ‘Rosenbauer particularly appreciated the engineering design of the Getac F110 fully rugged tablet, which, unlike all the other tablets on the market, combines extreme lightness and portability (314 x 207 x 24.5mm, 1.39kg) with resistance to vibrations, moisture and rain, cold, heat and extreme temperature variations (from -21 to 60°C). Other features that we particularly appreciate are the speed of its processor (Intel Core i5 2.2 GHz), its battery life (up to 12 hours), and its innovative security functions.’ Hartinger also praised the device’s exclusive LumiBond 2.0 technology, which allows the Getac F110 fully rugged tablet’s screen to be used with a stylus or fingertips – even while wearing gloves – as well as making it easily readable in exceptionally bright or variable lighting conditions.

Mettenmeier Technical Sales Consultant Sebastian Retthofer said: ‘The Getac F110 fully rugged tablet has proven to be the best choice for this project because it not only features the latest technology and has a rugged design that is suitable for the most extreme conditions but it also meets all the strictest certification standards in the military sector (MIL-STD).’

Benefit

As was the case 50 years ago, maximum effectiveness at the site of an emergency can only be provided by crews using state-of-the-art equipment. Technological tools that are inadequate for demanding work conditions and that are not supported by effective information management software will be useless and ineffective. The Getac F110 fully rugged tablet, together with Rosenbauer’s EMEREC mobile information management software, has helped the firefighting volunteers of Amstetten respond to emergencies more quickly and given them confidence that they’ll receive the right information at the right time from the operations centre. With the solution provided by Rosenbauer and Getac, and brokered by Mettenmeier, the Amstetten fire station is now more productive and can serve its community even more effectively.

For more information, go to www.getac.com/en/industries/public-safety