WEBVTT

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Six emergency responders assessed

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six different models of in-suit

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communications equipment while performing
simulated operational activities

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at the City of Seattle
Joint Training Facility.

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The communications in general

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is always important, especially
in a first responder setting, right?

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It's our lifeline.

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Communications means everything to us.

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It's something that, you know,
when we do our post-incident analysis

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and we look at some of the wins
and losses, so to speak, when we

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when we have an incident or response,
communications is something that

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always kind of rises to the top
as one of our challenges.

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So we're always looking at ways that we
can better communicate on the fireground

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when we're in our gear.

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It's a challenge, and we're always
looking for areas where we can make that

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better and enhance
our communication abilities.

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In-suit communications equipment
allows emergency responders to more easily

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use Push-To-Talk

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tactical radios under fully encapsulated
personal protective equipment,

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the emergency responders

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assessed each product against a total of 21
different evaluation criteria

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identified by first responders
during a SAVER focus group.

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Within four categories.

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Usability
and capability were the two most important

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categories, each weighted at 40%.

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The other two categories deployability
and maintainability

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were each weighted at 10%.

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Evaluators wanted a product
that was comfortable, easy to put on

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and take off, fully adjustable
but stays put once in place.

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It needed to

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be durable and easy to get the parts
to repair when it does break.

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Sound quality and overall ease of use
were also important.

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Actually,
the equipment that we've evaluated here

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are all very strong pieces of equipment.

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But some of the

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some of the issues that we are looking for
are the ability of the equipment

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to remain in place.

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When you're totally enclosed
in a vapor protective ensemble,

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if the system gets out of place,
communications can degrade greatly.

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So the ability to get good,
clear communications.

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And for the wearer
that's listening to those communications

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to be able to understand
those communications

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is one of the more important issues
that we're looking at.

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The emergency responders
serving as evaluators assessed

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each product based on their experiences
throughout four scenarios.

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First, they donned the equipment.

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Secondly,

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they used the equipment to communicate
with each other in various noise levels.

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Third, they performed a series of tasks
simulated incident scene operations

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while wearing their PPE
and the in-suit communications equipment.

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And fourth, they doffed the equipment.

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The emergency responders cited

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that all six of the assessed products
were deemed easy to set up and assemble.

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Responders also liked that most worked
with different face masks.

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The CEO CT-SkullMik received the
highest score of the assessed products.

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The product, which is powered by radio,
provided sufficient audio

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clarity and volume of earpiece,

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and had minimal impact on mobility
and non radio communications.

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However, the responders concluded
that it could be difficult

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to adjust the position
of their in-suit communications equipment

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or the self-contained breathing apparatus
while using this product.

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The TEA headsets
IC Pro was cited as easy to use

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and easy to don, doff, clean and sanitize

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the product, provided sufficient audio
clarity and volume of earpiece,

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and had minimal impact on mobility
and non radio communications.

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However, the responders cited
how the earpiece could be knocked off

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by their facemask and noted that specific
earpiece sizes were not offered.

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The CavCom Talk Through
Your Ears was cited as easy to use

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and provided sufficient audio
clarity and volume of the earpiece.

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The responders determined
that it's self-contained harness reduced

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impacts to mobility.

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They also determined that its noise
reduction design

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provided hearing protection.

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But they found the noise
reduction designed to impact non radio

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communications.

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The CeoTronics CT-ClipCom EarMike
was cited as easy to use and easy

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to don, don, clean, and sanitize. The product
which is powered

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by radio, had minimal impact on mobility
and non radio communications.

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However, the responders cited that while
wearing this product they had no indicator

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that confirmed when the Push-To-Talk
button was fully pressed down.

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The Drager FPS-COM 7000 provided

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sufficient audio
clarity and volume of earpiece

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had minimal impact on mobility
and non radio communications

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and included a team centered
full duplex feature.

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The responders cited
that maintenance could be difficult

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because the product specifically requires
the usage of Drager’s

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self-contained breathing apparatus
components.

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The CeoTronics CT-ThroatMike had minimal
impact on mobility and non radio

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communications and was interoperable
with different facemasks.

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However, responders found it difficult
to properly position the microphone,

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which can reduce audio quality
and also noted that donning

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an SCBA was more difficult
after donning the CT-ThroatMike.

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It's been a valuable opportunity
for us to look at emerging technologies,

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get an opportunity
to get our hands on that equipment,

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test it out, validate our assumptions
or expectations of how it will perform,

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and then give an opportunity to

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to share with other responders
from around the country.

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This assessment was made possible
by NUSTL's System Assessment

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and Validation for Emergency Responders
program known as SAVER.

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The program provides information
on commercially available

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technology and equipment
that first responder agencies

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can use to make informed operational
and procurement decisions.

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The full assessment report is available
at the SAVER Document Library website.

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NUSTL thanks the assessment evaluators
for their valuable time and expertise,

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specifically the Benton County Fire
Department, Chicago Fire Department, New

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York City Fire Department, Oregon Air
National Guard, Response Technologies Corp.

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and Seattle Fire Department.

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Their insights

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and recommendations will assist
responder agencies making procurement.

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Appreciation has also extended
to the Seattle Joint Training Facility

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for hosting the event.