Six emergency responders assessed
six different models of in-suit
communications equipment while performing simulated operational activities
at the City of Seattle Joint Training Facility.
The communications in general
is always important, especially in a first responder setting, right?
It's our lifeline.
Communications means everything to us.
It's something that, you know, when we do our post-incident analysis
and we look at some of the wins and losses, so to speak, when we
when we have an incident or response, communications is something that
always kind of rises to the top as one of our challenges.
So we're always looking at ways that we can better communicate on the fireground
when we're in our gear.
It's a challenge, and we're always looking for areas where we can make that
better and enhance our communication abilities.
In-suit communications equipment allows emergency responders to more easily
use Push-To-Talk
tactical radios under fully encapsulated personal protective equipment,
the emergency responders
assessed each product against a total of 21 different evaluation criteria
identified by first responders during a SAVER focus group.
Within four categories.
Usability and capability were the two most important
categories, each weighted at 40%.
The other two categories deployability and maintainability
were each weighted at 10%.
Evaluators wanted a product that was comfortable, easy to put on
and take off, fully adjustable but stays put once in place.
It needed to
be durable and easy to get the parts to repair when it does break.
Sound quality and overall ease of use were also important.
Actually, the equipment that we've evaluated here
are all very strong pieces of equipment.
But some of the
some of the issues that we are looking for are the ability of the equipment
to remain in place.
When you're totally enclosed in a vapor protective ensemble,
if the system gets out of place, communications can degrade greatly.
So the ability to get good, clear communications.
And for the wearer that's listening to those communications
to be able to understand those communications
is one of the more important issues that we're looking at.
The emergency responders serving as evaluators assessed
each product based on their experiences throughout four scenarios.
First, they donned the equipment.
Secondly,
they used the equipment to communicate with each other in various noise levels.
Third, they performed a series of tasks simulated incident scene operations
while wearing their PPE and the in-suit communications equipment.
And fourth, they doffed the equipment.
The emergency responders cited
that all six of the assessed products were deemed easy to set up and assemble.
Responders also liked that most worked with different face masks.
The CEO CT-SkullMik received the highest score of the assessed products.
The product, which is powered by radio, provided sufficient audio
clarity and volume of earpiece,
and had minimal impact on mobility and non radio communications.
However, the responders concluded that it could be difficult
to adjust the position of their in-suit communications equipment
or the self-contained breathing apparatus while using this product.
The TEA headsets IC Pro was cited as easy to use
and easy to don, doff, clean and sanitize
the product, provided sufficient audio clarity and volume of earpiece,
and had minimal impact on mobility and non radio communications.
However, the responders cited how the earpiece could be knocked off
by their facemask and noted that specific earpiece sizes were not offered.
The CavCom Talk Through Your Ears was cited as easy to use
and provided sufficient audio clarity and volume of the earpiece.
The responders determined that it's self-contained harness reduced
impacts to mobility.
They also determined that its noise reduction design
provided hearing protection.
But they found the noise reduction designed to impact non radio
communications.
The CeoTronics CT-ClipCom EarMike was cited as easy to use and easy
to don, don, clean, and sanitize. The product which is powered
by radio, had minimal impact on mobility and non radio communications.
However, the responders cited that while wearing this product they had no indicator
that confirmed when the Push-To-Talk button was fully pressed down.
The Drager FPS-COM 7000 provided
sufficient audio clarity and volume of earpiece
had minimal impact on mobility and non radio communications
and included a team centered full duplex feature.
The responders cited that maintenance could be difficult
because the product specifically requires the usage of Drager’s
self-contained breathing apparatus components.
The CeoTronics CT-ThroatMike had minimal impact on mobility and non radio
communications and was interoperable with different facemasks.
However, responders found it difficult to properly position the microphone,
which can reduce audio quality and also noted that donning
an SCBA was more difficult after donning the CT-ThroatMike.
It's been a valuable opportunity for us to look at emerging technologies,
get an opportunity to get our hands on that equipment,
test it out, validate our assumptions or expectations of how it will perform,
and then give an opportunity to
to share with other responders from around the country.
This assessment was made possible by NUSTL's System Assessment
and Validation for Emergency Responders program known as SAVER.
The program provides information on commercially available
technology and equipment that first responder agencies
can use to make informed operational and procurement decisions.
The full assessment report is available at the SAVER Document Library website.
NUSTL thanks the assessment evaluators for their valuable time and expertise,
specifically the Benton County Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department, New
York City Fire Department, Oregon Air National Guard, Response Technologies Corp.
and Seattle Fire Department.
Their insights
and recommendations will assist responder agencies making procurement.
Appreciation has also extended to the Seattle Joint Training Facility
for hosting the event.