Transforming critical communications for pioneering Fire & Rescue Services in Washington

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue, and Graham Fire & Rescue choose Dejero connectivity

With 20 fire stations providing 24-hour emergency medical and fire protection across 180 square miles of mixed environments including dense urban and suburban territory as well as rural, wetlands and mountainous areas, the combined services of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue, and Graham Fire & Rescue are responsible for the safety of more than 300,000 citizens in Washington. The region is also home to the Washington State Fair and a year-round events center in the City of Puyallup that attracts millions of people every year. Between them, the three organizations manage anywhere from 100 to 150 incidents per day.

This setting presents a high-stakes profile to these organizations. Their first responders are dealing with the most traumatic, intense moments that a community will experience, so there is a cognitive demand to have relevant, timely information. This creates the moral imperative to implement transformative connectivity solutions.

Following ongoing analysis of its incident communication data, and consistent challenges with AVL (Automatic Vehicle Locating) systems, they were able to secure policy-level support to pioneer a technology program that redefines its critical services provision. 

As a result, all three fire & rescue services are overhauling their communication systems, to better serve their communities and protect staff, with Dejero Smart Blending Technology™.

The trailblazing technology program includes the imminent deployment of Dejero GateWay 211F network aggregation devices in every medic and fire apparatus in the combined fleet, as well as GateWay 211F units with Kymeta satellite antennas for every Battalion Chief vehicle.

In partnership with IP Access International (IPA) field services, Dejero is providing the three services’ combined fleet with reliable uninterrupted connectivity by integrating satellite (OneWeb), LTE extenders and integrated Wi-Fi into the vehicles.

Powered by Dejero Smart Blending Technology, the rugged GateWay 211F blends triple-carrier connectivity from various first responder priority networks to enable first responders inside the vehicle to use wireless internet as a secured path into the network. This means events can be monitored in real-time and relayed back to the command post with no delays or interference. Battalion Chief vehicles will also be utilizing Kymeta satellites with OneWeb services, enabling them to respond even in areas where cellular coverage is limited or non-existent.

The system's blueprint also incorporates RoIP (Radio over IP) and provides a springboard for innovation and change strategies, reshaping the three organizations’ approach to refurbishing apparatus and repurposing its existing infrastructure. 

The three organizations have already implemented an analytics tool they developed in partnership with Canadian data specialist Darkhorse Analytics to generate time-accurate data, including apparatus location. The Dejero GateWay device helps to deliver this data in real-time, supporting critical decisions and exposing potential problems. 

Dejero connectivity also lends support to other first responders as it can provide a live data connection for dash cams and body cams for low latency streaming into a command center for remote support.

The combination of Dejero connectivity and Darkhorse Analytics means the combined fire and rescue services were able to substantially reduce the allocated additional infrastructure budget by understanding how to better utilize the existing combined infrastructure and deploy together more effectively. The solution keeps the three organizations informed on where they need to focus their energy and resources. This couldn’t exist without the robust connectivity that Dejero provides.

With Dejero Smart Blending Technology future-proofing the department's connectivity needs to ensure readiness for emerging technologies, the investment delivers a safer environment for law and fire services.

“Spending this money and installing this equipment is the most responsible thing we could do. It allows us to continue to be trusted stewards of the public resource and to provide the best emergency services we can in the region,” shares Fire Chief Dustin Morrow. “Dejero is helping us disrupt technology in our industry with no limits, and is allowing us to get better at our primary mission; serving the community, each and every day. We’re excited about what the future holds.”