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ffective communications are key to managing major incidents, whether planned or unexpected. The performance of the Airwave Network is critical in providing that communications support, and has shown its resilience under the most testing of conditions. In addition to this technical excellence, Airwave’s Major Incident Management team is ready and willing to assist with back offce support.

As part of our day-to-day network management we keep a close eye on radio, television and other media for breaking news, although by the time the incident becomes public knowledge, the emergency services and other public safety agencies will already be at the scene. The Network is monitored and managed 24/7/365 to ensure the best performance. However, the earlier we know about an incident or event, the quicker we can engage with customers and provide whatever assistance is required.

»» We can optimise individual sites to ensure maximum performance; provide additional coverage with mobile base sites; and limit usage of individual sites to customer-identifed talkgroups.

»» Individual users can be identifed if the Service or talkgroups are being mis-used, and users can request that the radios are remotely disabled.

»» If the event is planned, we can help in advance with best practice interoperability usage, ensuring that all participating agencies are fully conversant with the features of their Airwave radios, and understand how to join event or incident-specifc talkgroups that are unfamiliar to them.

»» During a major incident, we can provide an open conference bridge for Gold/Silver/Bronze command use, supporting the agencies on the ground with real-time information – this approach was used to great effect during the riots in 2011. »» After an event, we can facilitate and host review meetings to ensure best practices and lessons learned are documented and shared. Following any incident Airwave can provide full sight of Network

performance, and can conduct joint reviews and assist in providing lessons in order to improve future deployments.

We can also help to facilitate multi-agency exercises for ‘what if’ scenarios – these can be particularly valuable in testing resources in remote areas, ensuring site capacity is suffcient to manage a large infux of users.

These are examples of how we can provide extra resource and support, working with tactical advisors and ensuring they have all the information possible to assist in the management of an incident or event.