Siemens, RSI team to boost critical communications for first responders

Siemens and Radio Solutions, Inc. (RSI) recently announced a strategic alliance to offer reliable and critical communications for first responders.

The alliance teams distribution of the Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) from RSI, a Norwell, Mass.-based manufacturer of UL 2524-listed bi-directional amplifiers (BDA), with Siemens' life safety industry expertise and national footprint.

The combined effort will bolster Siemens' continued efforts to deliver increased safety by minimizing first responder time-to-incident and ensuring building occupants are protected at the highest level.

"Reliable radio coverage is essential for first responders during emergencies because lives depend on it. However, most commercial buildings, including hospitals and schools, lack sufficient coverage," contends Admir Surkovic, founder and CEO/CTO of Radio Solutions, Inc. "Our strategic alliance with Siemens expands our ability to ensure high quality deployments of our solutions, from high-rise towers to single story schools, from hospitals and municipal buildings to transportation hubs and tunnels."

The firms note that modern, energy-efficient construction materials, particularly those used in LEED-certified buildings, such as Low-E glass and metal-clad insulation, dramatically reduce the ability for radio frequency transmissions to reach first responders inside buildings.

Environmental factors such as proximity to the public safety radio repeater site or nearby buildings and other structures also affect how radio communications penetrate buildings.

RSI's ERCES platform boosts the signal level of the desired frequencies for emergency communication uplink and downlink and distributes that boosted signal throughout the building, using antennas, cabling and other components that transmit to and receive communications from first responder radios. This allows first responders to communicate over their radios during an emergency without coverage gaps.

UL 2524-listed for In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement System uses, RSI's ERCES is also independent third party verified and conforms with IFC (International Fire Code), NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Signaling Code), and NFPA 1221 (Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems).

"In the past, we were primarily asked to specify only fire detection and notification systems," says Dave Hopping, President and CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. "Today, electrical and general contractors, as well as building owners are requesting more and more that we incorporate Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems into our fire and life safety portfolio. And that's where RSI and Siemens come together, to provide a complete in-building solution by increasing protection for occupants and first responders in buildings."

Learn more at www.radiosolutionsinc.com.