AWINS Mobile Command Vehicles (MCVs)

Mobile Command Vehicles (MCVs) equipped with AWINS technology establish full radio interoperability, greatly improving communications during disaster responses and major events. This fully portable solution was put to the test in response to one of the worst disasters the United States has ever experienced, Hurricane Katrina. AWINS passed with flying colors (PDF, 65 KB).

With AWINS Mobile, each first-response organization uses its own radio system, and yet can communicate directly with every other member of the response team, even those with completely different radios. Following emergency operation protocols, a dispatcher in an MCV can easily coordinate ad hoc teams by adding each radio channel to a talk group. Individual teams can maintain their own talk groups and focus on their specific tasks, without interrupting each other over clogged communications channels.

Because AWINS users don’t have to switch radios systems or carry multiple devices, no additional training is required. Users feel comfortable with their equipment, and this saves critical time and allows for coordination—even before arrival on the scene.

Dispatchers and commanders in the MCV use a host of technologies to communicate with anyone on scene:

• Easy-to-use dispatch consoles utilize one-click connectivity to all talk groups or individual radio channels
• Drag-and-drop configuration of talk groups
• Speed dials on desktop or wireless phones also allow for direct connection to any user
• External cameras provide direct observation of the surroundings
• Wi-Fi networks for freedom of movement in and around the MCV

AWINS also enables seamless communications with emergency operations centers (EOC) in remote locations. Satellite or land-line connections essentially make the MCV an extension of the EOC. With phone, radio, and full-motion video, the staff in an EOC can actively engage in crisis management. They can even access EOC applications over the satellite connection to perform license checks, download maps, or access e-mail. In fact, AWINS enables anyone with a phone to actively participate in on-scene activities, no matter where they are.

AWINS Mobile may be used as a stand-alone interoperability platform, or in coordination with fixed AWINS implementations.