High-speed internet can be used to improve the responses of our public safety agencies! Speed Matters.org tells us that from emergency services to homeland security, high speed Internet technology can save countless lives. This can be done by enabling police, fire and emergency medical personnel to react to crises more quickly while facilitating cooperation among multiple safety agencies—something that was lacking after Hurricane Katrina and September 11th, 2001.
Here are some examples of what nationwide broadband can do:
• People who capture a digital photo or video of a crime, or a suspected missing child, could transmit that information to authorities in a timely way.
• Faster internet connections would let first responders receive area maps, or view how-to videos and share the info with numerous agencies simultaneously.
• Better and faster data can be sent to emergency rooms to help them prepare and give newly developed treatments.
• Fire commanders can direct their units using voice, video and data-enhanced communications at an emergency scene or from a remote location.
• Law enforcement personnel can rapidly send video and data to police command centers to monitoring officers or suspects in high-risk situations.
• Broadband facilitates biometrics screening - the measurement of personally identifiable physical characteristics like fingerprints or retinas - at entry points into a country or a sensitive facility, and enhances remote surveillance of borders, airports, ports, train stations, and government buildings.
• In the event of damage or destruction to vital government office space, high speed Internet can restore government services by enabling public officials and their staff to work remotely.