Overview

A public safety technology company has developed a fully integrated, end-to-end, cloud-based platform that streamlines and automates the alert systems of fire stations and other first responders. The platform reduces response times by automating much of the back-and-forth communications between dispatchers and responders. Rather than talking over the radio, the information about a call is relayed to the responders via alerts – across an app, on existing screens throughout the fire/paramedic station, and text-to-speech readouts on existing PA equipment in the stations – that include things like a map of and to the location, a description of the call, and dispatching information.

On top of the alerts, the platform can also automate station tasks that responders have little time to complete when called. Tasks like turning off stoves or an oven, opening/closing bay doors, or securing the building.

Each and every fire station/EMS station/dispatch location is different, and each district/county/metropolitan is governed by different regulations and practices. That said, the platform is already improving response times and the overall efficiency of the fire stations and EMS stations using the technology. In fact, one of the early adopters of the platform has seen a 55 second reduction in response time across the board.

The platform is already improving response times and the overall efficiency of the fire stations and EMS stations using the technology; one of the early adopters of the platform has seen a 55 second reduction in response time across the board.

The Challenge

As the company rapidly expanded, they faced mounting challenges with their existing hardware setup. Their reliance on a patchwork of off-the-shelf products created issues with system reliability, integration complexity, and long-term availability. These challenges threatened the platform’s ability to consistently deliver critical alerts and automation in high-stakes emergency situations.

The company needed to find a solution to overcome:

  • Inconsistent reliability: Off-the-shelf hardware wasn’t designed for mission-critical applications, leading to occasional failures that could delay emergency response times.
  • Scalability concerns: The platform needed to support a growing number of fire stations and EMS departments, each with unique configurations and regulatory requirements, but the existing hardware lacked the flexibility to adapt seamlessly.
  • Long-term availability: With hardware components sourced from multiple vendors, there was no guarantee of long-term availability, raising concerns about future serviceability and support.

To ensure first responders could rely on a fast, seamless, and automated alert system, the company needed a purpose-built, industrial-grade hardware solution—one that was both rugged and scalable to meet their expanding needs. That’s when they turned to Sealevel.

After studying the requirements and the application, Sealevel developed a purpose-built, custom computer to incorporate their needs into a single computer system, housed in a 1U rackmount enclosure.

The Solution

The company reached out to Sealevel with a list of requirements. After studying the requirements and the application, Sealevel developed a purpose-built, custom computer to incorporate their needs into a single computer system, housed in a 1U rackmount enclosure.

The custom computer, which is now in production, solves many of the company’s pain points. Specifically, by utilizing a single computer system, the company is able to standardize their installation processes, eliminating one of the major scalability challenges. Further, Sealevel provides a long-term availability guarantee, and is committed to manufacturing the computers for the life of the company’s programs across public safety and security.

Ultimately, Sealevel developed a computer containing:

  • A quad-core processor with at least a 1.9GHz core
  • 4+ GB RAM
  • (2x) Gigabit Ethernet
  • (2x) USB 2.0
  • (2x) 3.5mm Audio Line IN and Line OUT
  • (1x) DisplayPort
  • (2x) SSD (128GB each) in a RAID configuration for redundancy
  • (1x) LTE Modem M.2
    • Externally accessible SIM
  • (1x) Zigbee module to control lighting systems
  • (1x) Integrated LCD Panel
  • (4) Optically Isolated Inputs
    • Input range 5-24VDC
  • (4) Dry Contact Inputs
  • (4x) Relay outputs
    • 24V/5A output
  • (2) AC/DC power supplies for redundancy
  • (4x) Direct Digital Outputs
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