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Emergency response vehicle on call to respond 24/7
Prior to July 7, Airwave had designed a pilot version of what now exists as the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to provide an interim solution for communications in areas where the Airwave network was yet to be fully operational and in particular in underground situations.
Conscious that an interim solution was required for underground, it was good judgement that the ERV had been designed prior to the atrocities that occurred last July. In fact, no-one could have predicted just how important the Airwave ERV would be. Within 30 minutes of the bombs exploding, (and an immediate offer by Airwave to the British Transport Police for the use of the ERV) the vehicle was subsequently rushed into London to provide critical underground communications for the emergency services. Commenting, Jeff Parris, vice president, O2 Airwave said, “The importance of having not just an interim solution, such as the ERV, but also a solution in support should communications be damaged by bomb blasts, deploying the ERV during the July bombings proved invaluable to the emergency and rescue services.” “Following this major incident, PITO then asked us for a proposal to provide further vehicles that would be on stand-by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” Parris explained, that O2 Airwave now has three vehicles in service. Situated in prime locations across the Greater London area for use in the Underground and other tunnels. “We also provide the personnel, who are highly trained in deploying the equipment within the vehicles.” Added Parris,“Our engineers, who are sited in secure and strategically placed locations do a valuable and important job.” He also explained that due to the traumatic circumstances that these members of staff are potentially in, such as the London Bombing in July, special assessments are carried out to ensure staff suitability. The ERV’s carry a drum of leaky feeders, which are deployed in the tunnels and also carry spare handsets to ensure any responder, whom is given permission by the commander, can use the network in a major incident scenario. Parris also explained that the ERVs are also available for special coverage solutions such as football stadia, high profile government buildings etc. “Whilst the vehicles are predominately targeted for London Underground usage, they can be deployed where ever our customers believe is not be on 30 minute deployment notice, but available within a rapid timescale for multiple incident scenarios. Parris concluded, “We are also looking at the possibility of offering this service to other parts of the country, for instance Merseyside which has both tube and tunnels. In addition, we are currently making proposals and conducting surveys with contractors for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.” All in all ERVs have become a major and resourceful solution to support interoperability and are certainly no longer classed as an interim solution but a very valuable support service.
