5G is ushering in new capabilities that could expedite advancements in real time crime centers and new law enforcement technology that are expected to help first responders rapidly provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. In the future, 5G has the potential to not only accelerate the speed at which first responders mobilize but also improve their effectiveness—whether they're emergency medical technicians (EMTs) treating critically injured patients en route to the hospital, firefighters rushing into a burning building or police officers arriving at a crime scene.
Here's how 5G could play a role in innovating the future of emergency response.
New 5G-powered law enforcement technology could improve situational awareness
From the police officer's perspective, situational awareness is important for assessing the conditions at a crime scene. Law enforcement organizations have adopted real time crime centers with this purpose in mind, leveraging integrated data from various video feeds to provide an in-depth analysis of the situation to support timely problem-solving in the field as well as effective coordination among local agencies.
5G could one day serve as a powerful enabler for real time crime centers and law enforcement technology, especially when paired with a video management and analysis system. Police officers could leverage the speed and low latency of 5G connectivity to conduct real-time data analysis on mobile devices as they are traveling to or operating at the scene of an emergency. Here, they could tap into data insights for timely decision-making in scenarios ranging from routine calls to major sporting events or crisis management situations like natural disasters.
Emergency healthcare from first responders could be improved with 5G-connected ambulances
When lives are on the line, every second counts. EMTs that race to the scene of an emergency often need to triage patients in their care en route to the hospital. From the instant a call first arrives at a call center to the moment EMTs deliver their patient to the emergency room, effective real-time communication is essential. In the future, 5G-enabled ambulances could enhance the communication that underpins emergency response.
Real-time feeds of patient health data, securely traveling across the 5G network quickly and with ultra-low latency, could empower doctors and clinicians to remotely diagnose and treat patients using technologies like virtual reality, even if the ambulance is still miles away from the hospital. Medical professionals could treat less serious injuries on the spot without having to transport patients to the hospital, preserving emergency room capacity for more serious cases. In turn, this will also provide the means for hospitals to enhance personnel employment efficiencies through greater visibility and data.
Augmented reality: 5G-enabled firefighter masks and helmets might someday safely save lives
When firefighters rush into a burning building, they often have little to no visibility of their surroundings. A collapsing wall could spell certain danger for the people inside as well as the firefighters themselves. With the help of an augmented reality-enabled mask analyzing heat signatures in real time, firefighters might one day see their environment more clearly, identifying hot zones to avoid and highlighting safe routes toward people they aim to rescue.
With improved visibility into their surroundings, firefighters could find and save endangered people in short order, quickly and safely exiting the building afterward. 5G could play a critical role in these cases, feeding video streams from these masks to fire department commanders, so they can see what their firefighters were encountering in the field and keep tabs on their exact locations.
Emergency response and first responder technology could be transformed with help from 5G
Although 5G could help ambulances, firefighters and police officers significantly improve their individual emergency response capabilities, it can also streamline and enhance their collaboration with one another. Reliable, fast connectivity is essential for police officers requesting urgent medical care at a crime scene, and for firefighters doing the same during an emergency call.
With the aid of 5G connectivity, these emergency responders could quickly and securely share relevant data to aid one another in mobilizing time-sensitive, lifesaving operations. In doing so, first responders can make meaningful advancements toward keeping their communities safe.
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The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.