Brdy Mountains to be safer

Pilsen, 27 March 2019 - Three active emergency points were put in operation at the end of March in the territory of the former Brdy military district, facilitating the provision of help in areas with poor or no telephone signal. In the event of an emergency, visitors in distress can push a button at the emergency point to call for help. The project is being financed by the Pilsen Region. 

Active emergency points are now located at some of the existing rescue points of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS), which has been in operation in the Brdy Mountains since 2014. The emergency points are installed in the locations of Padrť, U louky Tři trubky and the Křižovatka Nad Čuralem crossroads (see the enclosed map). The Pilsen Region is financing the purchase, operation and maintenance of the devices, which expand the functionality of the existing rescue points. These are points strategically located in the area, designated with an information panel on a vertical post. The panel indicates the number, name and GPS coordinates of the point and contact details of the IRS units. It facilitates navigation in the area, particularly when the assistance of several IRS units is necessary.

The entire technological solution of devices was supplied by T-Mobile. The total cost of purchasing three devices is CZK 116,160, with the annual costs of maintenance and operation being determined to be CZK 533,610.

“The active emergency points that have been installed to increase the safety of visitors moving about in the open terrain of the Brdy Protected Landscape Area enable them to call for help using means other than mobile GSM networks. Active emergency points are based purely on data communication between the caller (the person requesting help in the area) and a unit of the Fire Rescue Service of the Pilsen Region. Similarly as with a fire alarm, by pressing the button, the caller requests assistance or, in other words, sends out information with a request for intervention,” explains Ivo Grüner, Vice President of the Pilsen Region.

How does it work?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is used for data transmission of emergency calls, which ensures security, reliability, availability and resistance against interference. “Wireless communication of the active emergency points is provided with Sigfox technology, which connects several stations at a time, thus ensuring a very long signal line of sight together with redundancy and immunity against interference. The devices are powered by batteries with a battery life of at least five years,” says Martin Buša, ICT Manager at T-Mobile, explaining the technological parameters of the system. The emergency buttons are connected to the IS of the Fire Rescue Service of the Pilsen Regions, which ensures, through its IS, the communication interface with the Sigfox system and the systems within the IRS, with the calls being primarily forwarded to the operations centre of the Pilsen Regional Police Directorate, which ensures dispatch of rescue units to the site.

“The active emergency points were designed so that they can be used by disabled persons, as emergency buttons can also be accessed from a wheelchair. The table contains instructions for use of the emergency button and information about the process of a patrol intervention in Czech and English,” adds Vice President Ivo Grüner.

Emergency button

The basic component of an active emergency point is the emergency button. It is composed of a board with a radio module, battery and external antenna, which are integrated in an assembly housing with a high degree of protection against water and dust penetration. The communication module is connected via cable to the emergency button itself (the button used in fire alarm systems was selected, as it is sufficiently robust, provides a sufficient degree of protection and, above all, has a protective glass panel that prevents accidental pressing). 

Button parameters:

• low-input radio module compatible with the      SIGFOX network
• mechanical resistance, protection of      technology against vandalism, weather resistance
• measures preventing accidental pressing of      the button
• operating temperatures from -40°C to      +80°C.

The button is located on a panel containing a description of the function of the control and signalling elements.

 

Maintenance and operation of the active emergency point technology

• The active emergency points (emergency buttons) will be in operation 24/7.
• 24/7 monitoring of the elements is ensured for an indefinite period, including physical checks of the devices to be      performed at least once a month.
• If a failure is detected, a repair will be made within 18 hours from the occurrence of the failure.

 

Location of the emergency points:

• Padrť, 49°39´40´´N, 13°45´42´´E
• U louky Tři trubky, 49°41´45´´N, 13°48´09´´E
• Křižovatka Nad Čuralem, 49°43´11´´N, 13°48´14´´E

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.