Airbus Technology Ensures Cross-Border Communication at Barents Rescue 2019
Airbus mission-critical communication technology allows communications between public safety actors from different countries, using different material.
The reliability and security of Airbus technology, critical networks, and their infrastructure was demonstrated during the Barents Rescue event end of September in Kiruna, Sweden. During the event, safety services such as fire, police, and health end-users from Finland, Sweden and Norway were present to practice real-life emergency situations and demonstrate the need for secure communication in such mission-critical situations, and the importance of trustworthy interoperable cross-border cooperation.
Indeed, in such a unique region, sparsely populated and with a high climatic risk, all safety organisations need to communicate securely, regardless of borders or different administrations, technology, or equipment. Airbus proved it possible as the coordination of the emergency operations, with all stakeholders, took place through the Rakel network operated by its customer MSB, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency for the stakeholder organisations in Sweden.
As the provider of the Finnish (Virve) and Swedish (Rakel) nationwide public safety communications networks, Airbus has participated in all three Finland-Sweden-Norway Tetra Inter-System Operability (ISI) events involving the corresponding Nordic Tetra operators: ERVE for Finland, MSB for Sweden, and DSB for Norway. In addition to this, the tri-network Tetra Inter-System Operability (roaming) functions have been verified between the Airbus Tetra networks.
“It was important for us to take part in such an vital and remarkable training and collaboration exercise between three countries” explained Robert Westin, Head of the Swedish Branch of Airbus DS Secure Land Communications. “This experience-gathering event between partners in the region is vital and will help save lives if a disaster hits and reinforcement or help from a neighbouring country is promptly needed. The network infrastructure provided by Airbus allows the smooth running of such critical communications between public safety actors from different countries, using different material.” Westin adds.
Barents Rescue is a civil international crisis management exercise which was initiated and conducted in Sweden for the first time in 2001. The exercise aims to improve emergency prevention and the ability to extend cooperation to neighbouring countries, such as to facilitate the provision of mutual assistance on behalf of public safety organisations in the event of disasters or emergency situations.