University of Limerick researchers are working in collaboration with some of the world’s leaders in security, intelligence and wireless technology development to create innovative communications applications for the world’s emergency services first responders. The INFRA project, a consortium of 9 companies and universities from Europe, is led by Athena GS3 Security Implementations Ltd. from Israel, in collaboration with the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick.  The University of Limerick team is led by Professor Elfed Lewis of the Optical Fibre Sensor Research Centre (OFSRC), which is based in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick.

Professor Lewis explains; “In a crisis situation, it is the medical response staff, security and anti-terrorist representatives who are the first to arrive at the scene. In an emergency situation, an entire array of human, technological, and intelligence gathering expertise is required to effectively coordinate support efforts.”
The INFRA project is developing a critical broadband communication infrastructure which will allow many different types of radio equipment to communicate with each other despite potentially harsh conditions. INFRA will also allow the communications infrastructure itself to be routed through alternative paths, it can adapt and change itself depending on the situation at hand.

Professor Lewis explained; “When First Responders intervene at the scene of a crisis; for example a terrorist attack in an underground train station, they require secure information systems to maximize the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of the response. These include; secure reliable radio links, telephone communications, sensors for monitoring potential radiation levels; sensors for monitoring the presence of hazardous material or potential gas leaks, thermal imaging for assessing fires; biosensors which monitor the health of the first responders themselves and systems which support navigation of the incident site.”

“INFRA has developed the technology to coordinate these systems, in a way which enables first responders to more effectively combat virtually any emergency situation. Incidents such as terrorist attacks on underground train stations, bombings of buildings, earth quakes and other severe natural, or indeed deliberate, destruction of critical infrastructures. For example, during the London bombings in 2005, the disruption of the city's transport system and the country's mobile telecommunications infrastructure. As a consequence of damaged communications infrastructure and the inherent reduced operability of traditional wireless communications equipment, emergency services resorted to using runners with messages as their radio equipment did not function adequately in the underground tunnels."

For further information go to Optical Fibre Sensor Research Centre (OFSRC)