DFRS rolls out lone worker technology to enhance security & safety

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service has invested in new technology to manage and monitor all lone workers from a secure web-based dashboard and ensures SOS alerts are automatically forwarded to the right people.

By using PageOne Communications Trio lone worker device, DFRS are able to see where a lone worker’s last known location is in Google maps and subsequently send them urgent assistance where needed, thus reducing the risk of lone working.

Ian Crabb, Water & Foam Officer at DFRS, said: "We have approximately 14,500 fire hydrants spread throughout the county and it is the responsibility of our lone worker Fire Hydrant Technicians to carry out inspections, test and repair defective hydrants which can often be positioned in remote or hazardous locations.

Sophisticated health & safety solution
He continued: "With tilt and motion sensors to detect a potential man-down scenario, as well as a periodic welfare check-in feature and SOS alarm; the Trio device provides us with a sophisticated solution to address health and safety concerns and provide peace of mind to our staff. The Trio also operates as a two-way pager so can be used for our normal messaging and alerting.”

Fully integrated with Connect, PageOne’s cloud-based messaging service, it means DFRS can manage and monitor lone workers from a secure web-dashboard. When an alert message is received, auto-forwarded to a pre-defined list of contacts through Connect so the 'right people' are notified with a date and time stamp meaning the Service can quickly and easily find and assist staff in distress.

Further reading: New tech could cut false alarm call-outs

Use of the device has recently been extended to the Community Safety Team and future plans include extending the use of PageOne’s lone worker solutions across other business units, including the Commercial Safety Team.

“We understand employers have a duty of care to safeguard vulnerable staff, and in doing so are delighted that Dorset Fire and Rescue Service have selected PageOne’s Trio lone worker device to help ensure the safety and security of their field-based technicians, and Community Safety Team.

"That the Trio also operates as a two-way pager means lone worker protection can be combined with operational messaging within a single robust device," added PageOne director Nigel Gray.