New System Will Improve Injured Officer Safety

New System Will Improve Injured Officer Safety

injured officer

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First police agency in the US is to use a new technology which many say could be the difference between life and death. The Automatic Injury Detection (AID) system provides help in seconds when the sensing panel has been pierced by a bullet or knife. The AID panel sends an automated emergency alert regarding the injured officer to a phone, radio or via other communication system.

Once hit, an officer or warfighter often needs to fight, flee or becomes incapacitated such that they are unable to get help immediately. AID improves the ability and speed at which they can get medical attention and/or backup help in the fight against the attacker.

As reported on wsls.com, the system’s panel consists of a thin film with an ink trace that covers the area of the film. When the trace is broken by a sharp edge or bullet (down to 22 caliber bullet), AID detects the event and automatically sends an emergency alert over Bluetooth to a phone or radio that can forward the notification through the communication infrastructure to emergency services, backup personnel, and/or dispatch/command.

The technology was deployed for the first time at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. “This day, to us, means possibly saving one of my deputy’s lives one day,” said Sheriff Hank Partin. “I hope we can spread this technology far and wide.”

Montgomery County spent about $86,000 to purchase the panels and radio technology for every officer.