VIRVE enables reforms in rescue operations
03.03.2010, 14:25
The rescue sector has been a forerunner in the public administration in utilising IT. VIRVE has played a big role, as rescue operations' communications systems and technology have been developed. Due to the nature of the basic tasks of the sector, all operative systems are mobile. The aim is to utilise IT more extensively.
“In rescue operations, VIRVE has enabled efficient communications in rescue operations areas which are larger than before. At the same time, cooperation with other authorities has become more in-depth, and the development of various data applications has accelerated,” says Pentti Partanen, Director-General of the Department for Rescue Services, Ministry of the Interior.
“For alerting systems, the data transfer function in the VIRVE network has also introduced a lot of new methods, such as positioning. In the emergency response centre sector, the current emergency response centre system could not even have been implemented without VIRVE,” he says.
He underlines that equipment and services have to be user-friendly. It is absolutely necessary that rescue operations communications equipment are fit for the field action.
“In rescue operations, VIRVE will continue to form the backbone of communications. Now we need data services development and a solution to what will be implemented in VIRVE and what in commercial applications. Both the technical and also cost-related questions have to be resolved,” says Partanen.
Emergency response centre IT renewal
The development project of the emergency response centre operations and IT of the ERC Administration (112) already represents second-generation IT solutions which are created in Finland with the aid of various authorities. The project intends to improve emergency response centre operations and authority cooperation.
“Particularly in emergency assignments, the need for shared systems increases powerfully. The interfaces of status report systems must be mutually compatible. There is a need for harmonisation,” says Partanen.
Larger areas of operations are planned for emergency response centre operations; that is, the number of individual emergency response centres will decrease. According to Partanen, VIRVE is also essential in these reforms.
Rescue activities around the world
Rescue operations also develop the organising of an international assistance system and resources.
“Situation assessment and management support during major catastrophes has been one of our methods of operation, and for this we have standby teams and skills for information management, forwarding and communications,” says Partanen.
He is glad that TETRA networks, similar to those in Finland, are also made available elsewhere. The joint use of the networks over national borders needs to developed now.