VIDEO: Cisco’s Network Emergency Response Vehicle (NERV)
Communications are always vital. During natural and other disasters, however, they become an absolute necessity. Cisco is in the IP communications business and identified a need for a ready-to-go, plug-in solution for command center communications during emergencies. The outcome: The Network Emergency Response Vehicle (NERV). Basically, a mobile communications vehicle that can act as a command center for your on-the-ground disaster management, as well as a central processing center for all the communications going on for that effort. Through Cisco’s IPICS technology, which allows disparate radio systems to communicate with each other via IP translation, police, who are on one radio system, can talk with fire professionals who are on another radio system, who can talk with the National Guard, who are on another radio system. The NERV also has TelePresence, video surveillance, Wi-Fi, satellite communications, and IP telephony on-board.
In this short video, Bob Browning, Senior Manager of Tactical Operations Support at Cisco, gives us a tour of the NERV’s technology and capabilities. This vehicle just returned from the Harris Fire and is exactly why interoperable communications systems are essential to successful disaster response and recovery.
Browning answers the following questions:
1. What does the Cisco NERV allow emergency response professionals to do during times of disaster?
2. What Cisco technology does the NERV contain?
3. What does the Cisco NERV system do that others cannot?
Posted by John Earnhardt at 11:47AM PST
Keith Ridgway Nov 29, 2007
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bob in disaster recovery and first response over the last several years. He was instrumental in Hurricanes Katrina, Ivan, Rita, Wilma, etc.
Bob and his team are second to none in the industry. His championing of the NERV and his knowledge of the chain of command with First Responders, State, Local and Federal governments is truly impressive.
Cisco solutions coupled with Cisco knowledgeable folks like Bob are THE BEST in the industry.