DocAndersen
I want to start this technical piece the same way I started my wander project. My wife and I are taking a 3-day break from Technology starting the end of the day today. I will not be on Virily from Thursday – Saturday. This is the first long break I’ve taken in more than five years from my blog. Time away is often something that helps us refocus!
The interesting reality of first responders globally is one that interests me in both my personal and my professional life. The first thing that interests me is the reality of subways. If you ride a subway, you will notice that at times you will lose cellular signal. The same is true for radios. Or what is in the first responder world called an LMR (Land Mobile Radio). You can connect, and LMR to a Cellular device (using a gateway solution like Multi-link) that lets the cell phone and the LMR interoperate. Most cities that have underground tunnels for subways have dead spots. The dead spots are bad if there is a fire in that tunnel. First, the people responding are underground and unable to communicate without either LMR or cellular signal.
It is an interesting problem that most of the telecommunications companies are working on. I often ride the Washington DC Metro from my house to downtown DC. 8 years ago when I first did that, there was at least ½ if not more than 1/2 the route that was a dead spot. Now it is only the area between the larger stations that has dead spots. The cellular providers have continued to improve the signal below the ground. That is important to help first responders effectively respond to fires in subway tunnels and subway cars. It is also important in the event of collisions or accidents where the firest responders have to enter the tunnel and find and rescue people. Being able to communicate can save a life.
There are other things that the new reality is bringing to the reality of the first responder job. The reality of body cams for police officers globally is increasing. More and more departments have officers wear body cams. There has also been recently a push to have firefighters wear body cams. While drones can fly over a fire, and see where the hot spots are, the actual inside of the building is critical. All of these things are part of the reality of the modern world. We have to make sure we protect people, animals and other creatures on our planet. Next time you walk by an officer of the law, or a firefighter, thank them for running towards danger. Most of us are taught to run away from danger. First responders run towards danger.
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Question of
The more we help first responders the better things will be, right?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
The hardest thing to do is run towards danger, right?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Never forget those who serve, ok?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Are you going to miss my posts for the next 3 days?
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Yes
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No
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Enjoy your time together! This is a wonderful decision!
thanks! we had a blast 3 days of walking and taking pictures!
Good, it’s always good to spend quality family time.
To be able to put the lives of others before yours is a special calling.We really need to help them as much as we can and be grateful fro their service.
it really is, one of the focuses of my job is providing first responders with better services.
vaya con dios, doctor…
thanks Alex, it was a great weekend!
glad to hear you enjoyed yourself
I always admire people who put those in danger first and just dash in to help them. Hope you enjoy your days off and have fun,
thanks! We had a blast. I love helping first responders get better!
I admire firefighters … their selfless help. We always have a member in my family who is with the fire department.
They are truly amazing people 🙂 in every way!
Yes, I will miss you. However, it has been that my life has been so busy I could not spend as much time on the computer either, with one thing or another …life happens..
Have a good break
Yes we have a major fire in Auckland by the Sky tower and it is taking ages to put out
I know that many fire fighters also get throat cancer after many years of serving and they need extra protective clothing
we need to take care of first responders better!
That is very true and I wonder if people will listen? I wish they would
I’ve been saying that for more than 30 years. So far, no, they are not listening1
You made a very good decision, dear friend … have a good time and pamper your wife …. enjoy
yes sir! will do!
plus she already told me I had to!
She told you honestly and stick to it, dear friend
we had so much fun it was a blast!!!
First responders should get the paycheck given to athletes, like the NFL or Hockey players.
Enjoy your trip and time away.
thanks Carol I will enjoy the trip.
I enjoy patting first responders on the back and saying thank you. But making sure they are paid better is a brilliant idea.
They put their lives on the line every single day.
they do, and sometimes they are forgotten by the rest of us, until something bad happens.
This is a Great think.
just so you know copying and pasting a comment across multiple posts is frowned on. it is also not allowed per the site policy.
Was it ungracious of me to vote No to question 4? Don’t take it the wrong way – I would have said No whoever had asked the question, and I would have expected the same response if I had asked the question myself!
honesty is always welcomed! plus the polls are truly anonymous!
Ok, Enjoy your holiday.
thanks – looking forward to not have devices around!