1. October 15, 2015
TOOLS FOR THE UNKNOWN
Posted by Jeff Menken Oct 15, 2015
What happens when a foreign conflict hits home?
How do you prepare for a terror attack on a large crowd?
How do you gather real-time information and survey a crime scene when civilians and dignitaries are still at risk,
and assailants at large?
For 36 domestic and international SWAT, EMS, and federal law enforcement teams, the best way to plan for the
worst case is to run through the events as if they’re already happening, and train with the smartest tools to support
the mission. UrbanShield’s comprehensive training weekend, hosted by Alameda County Sheriff's office, provided
that opportunity to assess global tactical and EMS teams on their response capabilities in multi-discipline planning,
procedure, organization, equipment and training.
As an UrbanShield technology partner, Motorola Solutions participated in this year’s Dignitary Rescue scenario-one
of 36 different programs throughout the bay area-- and allowed teams to experience Intelligence-Led Public Safety
(ILPS) in action. Participants saw firsthand – through tablets, smartphones and real-time crime center displays –
how aggregated data from sources, such as video, social media, and location-based apps, can dramatically enhance
tactical team’s situational awareness, and how mission critical voice can be extended beyond land mobile radio to
the same smart devices.
Each scenario began the same way: teams were in a briefing room watching a “live” scenario unfold as a public
figure on a terror group’s watch list was presenting to a large crowd. Local law enforcement anticipated that the
dignitary may be in danger, so immediate response teams including tactical EMS groups were on standby,
and StrongWatch’s Freedom On The Move (FOTM) was deployed. Mid-way through the speech, terrorists
concealed in the masses launched an attack to take out the official and several people nearby. As the teams watched
the video surveillance feed, assailants remained on the ground hidden in heavy smoke, firing automatic weapons at
civilians.
While these events unfolded, the FOTM and hospital cameras were all viewable on CommandCentral
Aware and CommandCentral Inform. With thermal imaging technology, FOTM saw through the smoke to identify
potential human threats, such as gunmen, and object threats, such as IED and casualties. With this information,
command staff and EMS teams got a good idea of the number of shooters and their positions, the number of people
still left in the courtyard, and those that need medical assistance. Because of the technology in use, high level
officials knew immediately that the dignitary had been successfully evacuated, and which civilians needed
immediate attention. As the scenario concluded, the teams could useBriefCam video synopsis software integrated
into CommandCentral Aware to view their performance in the debriefing room.
These tools dramatically changed the way that teams planned and acted in a crisis situation. CommandCentral
enabled teams to assess and analyze multiple video sources, provided a single, operational view for incident

2. command, and streamed real-time video and data to tablets and smartphones. While no one can predict what a real
attack will look like, teams experienced a life-like scenario with real-time data streams, and this exercise equipped
team members with the tools to operate in the unknown.