Polaris Wireless, a provider of software-based wireless location solutions, announced it is partnering with cloud-based public safety software company Mark43 to integrate three-dimensional location technology into computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems for public safety organizations.
The partners said that this technology enables police and fire departments to track personnel and assets and pinpoint their locations, including indoors and in high-rise buildings, with floor-level accuracy. This level of granularity in location tracking delivers enhanced situational awareness and improved operational efficiency, Polaris Wireless said.
Mark43 CAD provides field response with a mobile unit view optimized for laptop or tablet use in vehicle. The system is built on the AWS GovCloud.
With the additional functionality 3D location provides, command and control centers can improve public safety operations such as directing firefighters to the correct floor in a structural fire or ensuring SWAT teams enter from the correct floor of a high-rise building, the partners said. Even in more routine situations, such as tracking officers or equipment in a large municipal headquarters, 3D location helps increase efficiency and better allocate resources.
“Giving command and control centers full visibility into first responders’ locations is crucial when it comes to emergency dispatch, where every second counts,” said Scott Crouch, Mark43 co-founder and CEO. “We are always aiming to integrate the best possible capabilities into our suite of offerings, and we look forward to working with Polaris Wireless to increase safety and efficiency for our first responders.”
“Our 3D Location is enabling new use cases in public safety applications with our partnership and integration into Mark43 CAD systems,” said Amir Sattar, senior vice president of operations for Polaris Wireless. “Dispatching police and firefighters to the precise location, including the correct floor number, represents a major advancement for public safety and a significant benefit for the communities they serve.”
Mark43 said that its solution is purpose-built in the cloud to support interoperability with third-party systems and devices. This enables the Mark43 CAD to integrate with the Polaris Wireless 3D Location Platform, which is also cloud-based and is available to application developers via a standard Android and iOS Software Development Kit (SDK). The platform relies on Polaris Wireless’ 3D location technology which is able to locate devices on the vertical axis within 3 meters, floor level, utilizing all available signals and sensor measurements combined with the company’s patented algorithms.
Sattar also said that Mark43 and Polaris Wireless are currently exploring opportunities to trial the application with public safety organizations.
Polaris Wireless’ location technology uses software to deliver accurate pin-point location, proven within 2.8 meters vertically (z-axis) in high-rise buildings. The firm’s solutions serve public safety, hospitality, healthcare, enterprises, and location-based application companies.