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LBFD LAR COPP Profiled in Industries First Newsletter
By frhayes | November 21, 2008
The Long Beach Fire Department is profiled in the first newsletter formulated by the planners, developers, and builders of the LAR COPP vehicle (Los Angeles Common Operational Picture Program).
So what is a LAR COPP vehicle? Why was it developed? What components does it have? And what can it are used for?
Without getting to complicated, the Los Angeles Regional Common Operational Picture Program (LAR COPP) is a secure, web-based platform (Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburbans, Motor Homes) that provides real-time situational awareness to agency executives and Department/Emergency Operations Centers from the scene of an incident within the Los Angeles region.
The LAR COPP was developed because the National Incident Management System (NIMS) calls for the development of Common Operational Picture (COP) protocols and technology to link Incident Command Posts, Emergency Operation Centers and other stakeholders in events of regional, or national significance. A COP program provides consistent, standardized information and intelligence to all parties with approved access to the information. A COP program is an interdisciplinary (Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Management, etc.) interagency, interactive tool that is accessible to each government entity within the Urban Area.
Each field response command post vehicle (Law or Fire Command Vehicle) is equipped with a wireless broadband digital camera that provides real time video of an incident. The portal through which the video is transmitted is also capable of capturing and displaying a Glossarial Information System (GIS), Pictometry, or satellite photo image of the affected area with information on the perimeter, traffic routes and emergency vehicle access notated on the image, along with basic Incident Command System information. There is also the ability to communicate through a “message board” access the Internet to send and receive important information, and effectively track resources on scene of an incident.
The concept in general allows responding, assisting and impacted agencies to quickly evaluate the scope of the incident and take appropriate actions. It is a “Regional Resource” along with others that belong to the LBPD, LACOFD, LACFD, LAPD, Sheriffs etc. that can be requested at any time to assist with each agencies needs.
Here is the newsletter that profiles the Long Beach LAR COPP at the 2008 Long Beach Grand Prix.
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