LiveU illustrates how the police and fire departments in Westerville,Ohio,are leveraging advanced live video streaming technology to enhance their situational awareness.
Transforming Emergency Response with Technology
The City of Westerville, a suburb located northeast of Columbus, Ohio, with a population of approximately 35,000, has experienced its fair share of significant news events and emergencies. For the local police and fire departments, these situations are part of their daily responsibilities. To enhance their situational awareness, both agencies opted to integrate drones into their operations, leading to the establishment of a collaborative drone program.
The decision to utilize LiveU for live video transmission emerged after a local news outlet showcased a drone presentation by the police and fire departments, which was broadcasted using a LiveU transmission unit.
“We recognized the need for a more efficient way to transmit high-quality video to a secure network, allowing teams to monitor, assess, and adjust ground operations based on real-time data,” stated Lieutenant Justin Alloway from the Westerville Division of Police – Investigations. This led to the creation of a video data sharing solution for key agencies, utilizing LiveU technology alongside three drones.
Managing Large-Scale events
When Westerville was selected to host the democratic National Commitee Debate in October 2019, the urgency for drone support became evident. Deputy Chief Fire Marshall David Williams noted that the city typically receives only 1-2 weeks’ notice for major events. “The police and fire departments must quickly coordinate to establish the necessary infrastructure to manage large crowds, including attendees, protesters, and counter-protesters.” The event attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, and the command teams were able to monitor real-time video feeds of the streets and crowds to identify areas requiring public safety presence.
Adapting to Challenges
In the wake of nationwide protests and unrest in 2020, the Westerville Police and Fire departments continued to rely on LiveU for data transmission and local preparedness.
on a daily basis, the coordinated teams utilize LiveU with drones for various operations, including responding to house fires, managing downed power lines, conducting traffic stops, and searching for missing persons. “When a firefighter sustains an injury, we review the drone footage to include findings in accident reports and internal evaluations,” Chief Williams remarked.
The city is also applying this technology for solar inspections and traffic studies, significantly reducing the time required for these assessments and minimizing risks by keeping inspectors off ladders or roofs. “We can transmit the data through LiveU and monitor it in real-time,” added Lieutenant Alloway. Additionally,the aerial footage of westerville aids in public relations efforts to promote city events.
Measuring Success in Public Safety
In public safety, the return on investment (ROI) differs significantly from that in corporate sectors. For the Westerville PD and FD, “during large events like the Fourth of July celebrations, where crowds can lead to altercations, we can deploy a drone overhead within moments, providing live streaming to responding officers.” The integration of drones and live video has enabled both departments to react swiftly to emerging emergencies. Here, the ROI is measured in lives safeguarded. Moreover, the city is saving time and resources by using drones for inspections rather of personnel.
Future Developments
The City of Westerville is set to enhance its operational capabilities by acquiring several LiveU HEVC units and up to six drones, aiming to elevate their situational awareness further. Given that the unified command team often receives limited notice for developing incidents,having a reliable,user-friendly live streaming solution is essential for assessing situations and deploying necessary resources. LiveU and drones have proven to be effective solutions for addressing their situational awareness challenges.
