AST Digital Magazine May 2016 | Page 11

Volume 4 Emergency Devices – A Must for Vibrant Communities By Michael Zuidema A Code Blue Emergency Light Tower, located in Downtown Chicago, IL Security likely will be an eternal challenge for cities and large municipal settings. Mitigate one potentially dangerous situation and a new one seems to pop up in an instant. It’s an uphill progression that seems to have no end in sight. Regardless, it’s vital to be continually proactive in bolstering the safety of these bustling and vibrant communities. From downtown streets, shopping centers and parks to corporate facilities, stadiums and parking garages, urban environments require a variety of diverse security solutions in order to meet their demanding and ever-changing needs. With that in mind, many municipal settings have embraced the implementation of sophisticated emergency communication options that are available for anyone to use at any time of day. For example, housing a hands-free speakerphone in a durable enclosure in both indoor and outdoor settings not only offers a high level of durability The Industry Standard for Emergency Blue that will resist vandals, inLight Phones is Ideal for Virtually any Cam- tense weather conditions pus and City environment. and other forms of abuse, but provides reliable twoway communication with first responders who can react to a request for assistance in an effective manner. May 2016 Edition The benefits do not have to end there. Many enclosures available on the market can easily incorporate additional security equipment, including surveillance cameras, public address systems, housings for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices, Areas of Refuge, assembly points and more. They also have the ability to integrate with additional video management and access control software solutions to provide cities with more flexibility by giving them the ability to tie different security systems together, thereby maximizing the return on investment and providing scalability for future expansion and updates. As a result, emergency communication devices offer another level of security that can reclaim potentially dangerous locations by increasing visibility and serving as a beacon for those in need. This is extremely helpful in large cities where skyscrapers and other structural features create tight spaces and limited sightlines, and facilities can be so massive and sprawling that it’s financially untenable to have a manned security force capable of perpetually b lanketing the entire location at all times of day. Physical security devices can serve as the eyes and ears needed to aid assist people in distress and direct security forces to the areas where they are most in need. Plus, since they are installed in fixed locations, they can help first responders more accurately pinpoint the areas where help is requested. Code Blue Wall Mount Interactive Voice Communication Unit popular choice for parking decks, entrances and more. In addition to giving people the ability to swiftly notify authorities in emergency situations, the versatility of physical security devices can be utilized for a number of nonemergency situations, such as a driver requesting help after locking their keys in the car or a tourist asking for directions. A number of emergency speakerphones are equipped with contact closures that can assist with 11