Guest Editorial by Josh Lewis, CTO at SOMA Global, a Double Platinum Winner in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards
Glendale saw a massive influx of sports fans this past weekend for Super Bowl LVII. For football fans, the Super Bowl is a time for fun and food as they watch the highest-stakes game of the year.
But NHTSA fatality data showed that the stakes are higher in another way.
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities were 74% higher on Super Bowl Sunday than the week before and 82% higher than the following week.
Public safety organizations work tirelessly to protect lives not just from drunk driving but also from fires, cardiac events, and other emergencies. However, as the Super Bowl statistics point out, doing so involves rapid swings in the kinds of problems faced.
How, then can public safety workers adapt to such dynamic circumstances?
I believe that dispatchers and first responders will need to embrace new hardware and software technologies to stay ahead of emerging public-safety challenges.
Faster communication hardware for better collaboration
Newer communications hardware offers the possibility of better real-time connectivity for first responders. We’ve become accustomed to fast data connections daily, and we should leverage that same technology for public safety.
For example, adopting 5G radio technology will enable monitoring sensitive areas with IoT sensors and transmitting high-resolution video from first responders, which could help them work together more effectively in emergent situations.
Cloud computing and updated software for greater insights
While advanced communications hardware can help first responders coordinate better, public safety can also benefit from cloud computing and the right software.
As our founder Peter Quintas pointed out in this previous article, cloud computing can have significant benefits by making up-to-date information more accessible and paperwork less obtrusive.
These benefits should translate into fewer mistakes.
Many public safety systems are outdated, and upgrading that software can yield benefits to help departments catch trends and incidents that otherwise may have been missed.
Predictive analysis could greatly benefit public safety by placing first responders where a crime or disaster is likely to occur, cutting response times dramatically.
In fact, even a small improvement in response times can be important. With cardiac events and strokes, shortening ambulance response times by just two minutes can reduce deaths by over 40 percent.
The need for “it just works”
Technological improvements, however, should not be added simply because they are new.
More public-safety research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published early this year emphasized the need for a balanced approach to tech.
People’s lives depend on how first responders and dispatchers act, so we must be careful that new technologies aid rather than hinder them.
The needs and risk tolerances of public safety organizations are much more stringent than those of the general public, and our approach to technology needs to reflect these priorities.
With that in mind, I have four questions to ask when considering new technologies:
Does the new tech significantly improve public safety either directly or indirectly?
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If it does, then it’s likely worth considering, depending on the other factors.
Has the IT been tested and hardened for use in emergency situations?
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In an emergency, first responders can’t afford to have a tool not work because it needs to be rebooted or updated.
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The tech needs to work as intended every time.
Does it operate within clear and unimpeachable legal and ethical guidelines?
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First responders should be focusing on saving lives and helping people, not on whether they could get sued or prosecuted.
How much does it cost?
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Keep your priorities straight. Sometimes that means waiting until the tech has come down in price.
Ideally, on Super Bowl Sunday, fans will watch the game, have fun, cheer loudly, and return home safely.
It’s exciting that we have the current and emerging technologies that really can help first responders do their jobs better – because for them, every day is a high-stakes day.
About the Author
Josh Lewis is the Chief Technology Officer at SOMA Global, overseeing the company’s product development and overall technology capabilities.
Josh joined the team in 2018, where he started as Principal Software Engineer and worked his way up to Director, then Vice President of Engineering. Josh has personally taken part in nearly every go-live and implementation the company has gone through.
He came to SOMA Global from Tesla where he led data engineering and software development teams for Tesla’s production lines. Joshua has been a project manager, an actuary, and a robotics engineer. He holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of South Florida.
SOMA Global empowers public safety and government agencies to build safer, more resilient communities through modern technology.
The SOMA solution streamlines software with a unified ecosystem of pre-built applications, workflows, automations, and data interoperability.
The SOMA Global Platform includes four key suites – critical response, incident management, courts and corrections, and administrative – that empower state and local organizations with the tools they need to better protect the communities they serve.
To learn more, please visit www.somaglobal.com.
SOMA Global Earns Double Platinum ‘ASTORS’ in 2022 Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
SOMA Global (First of Two)
Best COVID-19 Emergency Response Solution
SOMA Global Platform
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In an emergency or life-or-death situation, every second is crucial. In the estimated 240 million 9-1-1 calls each year, emergency response times vary from 3 to 13 minutes. Beyond lagging response time, public safety professionals, including EMTs, are often not properly prepared before arriving on the scene.
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SOMA Global provides critical-response solutions for public safety officials that optimize public safety workflows, connecting assets from law enforcement to fire departments and more. This can help to reduce response times for crime, natural disasters, and other emergencies by streamlining crucial information to better inform officials.
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When COVID-19 first began, cities, governments, and states across the globe struggled to find ways to keep people safe. The SOMA Global Platform helped first responders remain informed and prepared at all times, helped them report potential exposure threats easily, and helped visualize data through quick-access dashboards. Within days, SOMA’s platform could track known COVID cases for first responders when arriving at calls to ensure agents were properly prepared, and established triggers for travel restrictions and government regulations.
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In uncertain times, technology must rise to the occasion to help front-line professionals stay safe. SOMA Global’s technology was able to rise to the occasion to be a valuable asset to all partners across the country.
SOMA Global (Second of Two)
Best COVID-19 Frontline Professionals – Law Enforcement
SOMA Global Platform Suites
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Optimizing public safety workflows, from law enforcement to fire departments, saves lives and reduces response time for crime, natural disasters, and other emergencies. SOMA Global, a leading provider of critical-response solutions for public safety, offers this solution through the SOMA Global Platform.
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Throughout the pandemic and to the present day, agencies across the country have experienced staffing shortages among public safety officials, resulting in delayed 9-1-1 response times that can have life-threatening repercussions.
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SOMA’s four suites help combat this through its platform that streamlines technology with configurable pre-built applications, workflows, and more to expedite the organization and connection of modern-cloud software applications.
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SOMA Global’s technology available within the SOMA platform includes critical response, incident management, courts and corrections, and administrative offerings among other solutions. With SOMA, not only are initiatives easily accessed through one major hub, but officials are better prepared before arriving on the scene of a call, enhancing efficiency and safety for all involved in an emergency.
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*SOMA Global is a new competitor to the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.
These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.
Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.
The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City.
This year’s exclusive sold-out ‘ASTORS’ luncheon featured representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders who came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines, and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for generations to come.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which came out in force, to discuss comprehensive collaborations between private and public sectors that have led to the development of intelligence and technologies which serve to protect our nation.
The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program emphasized the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders.
The keynote address was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, who described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.
The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.
AST was also joined by Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton, who spoke, as always, about his love for the City of New York, the Profession of law enforcement to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he continues to drive thought leadership and innovation.
New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Department Kenneth Corey, came out to address Luncheon attendees and shared some of his experiences and the changes in policing he’s witnessed over his more than three decades of service.
FDNY Chief Joseph Jardin honored the men and women of the FDNY, not only those who currently serve but all of those who have selflessly served, with special recognition of those lost on 9/11.
Chief Jardin spoke about the continuing health battle of many following 9/11 with cancer and respiratory disease, yet now knowing the full consequences, would not have made a different decision to respond.
As Chief Jardin noted, mission-driven service is in the lifeblood of every firefighter, volunteer and sworn and has been so throughout the history of the Fire Service.
Former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit joined AST to sign complimentary copies of her book, ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis,’ thanks to the generosity of our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Sponsors.
The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by NEC National Security Systems (NSS), ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America, guardDog AI, Fortior Solutions, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, and SIMS Software!
We were pleased to welcome the esteemed New York City Fire Department (FDNY); the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and the NYC Hospital Police, as well as Executive Management from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many other DHS agencies, Federal law enforcement agencies, and private/public partnerships such as the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the 30×30 Initiative, a coalition of professionals advancing the representation of women in policing; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) (rail safety advocates).
The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
In 2022 over 240 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields.
Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands at ISC East, the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), and the ASIS NYC Expo.
ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.
Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:
Advanced Detection Technologies, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Cellbusters, CornellCookson, CyberArk Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, High Rise Escape Systems, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Select Engineering Services LLC, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and West Virginia American Access Control Systems, just to name a few!
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2022 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2022 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
