A ring down conference is used for bringing a group of first responders into an audio conference very quickly. Traditional ring down conferencing equipment makes use of analog FXS ports. For example such a system may be deployed at an airport or an Air Force Base. These systems are also called CrashNet Emergency Conferencing systems. The emergency ring down phones are clearly designated and located in specific areas. A person wanting a ring down conference simply has to go ‘off-hook’ on one such phone. The conference bridge detects the off hook and then immediately rings other phones connected to the bridge – hence the term ring down. As people pick up other phones they are placed into a conference with the initiator.

XOP Networks has extended the ring down bridging concept to VoIP based networks. It’s  <strong>SIP/VoIP based Ring Down bridge</strong> (Enhanced Firebar application running on SIP based USN) works in conjunction with an IP PBX. A person can go off-hook on pre-designated IP extension. The IP PBX will be programmed to send a SIP INVITE (equivalent to seeing an off-hook in the analog world) towards the XOP bridge. Based on that message the XOP equipment will immediately ring other pre-designated IP phones and upon off-hook place people into an audio conference.

Traditional Firebar equipment is deployed on the line side of a central office switch. It terminates individual copper pairs to/from a special ‘red phone’ deployed at a voluntary fireman’s home. The phone companies are migrating their networks towards packet based networking technologies as opposed to the current circuit switch environment. This process typically involves replacing the current copper based loop plant with fiber based Digital Loop Carriers. Because of this the Firebar service that relies on individual copper pair terminations cannot work. XOP Networks Enhanced Firebar equipment (Firebar application running on the Universal Service Node) is designed to be placed on the trunk side of the switch instead. By placing the Firebar equipment on the trunk side a phone company can deliver the Firebar service to Firemens regular land line phones. The XOP Networks Firebar equipment is capable of remembering multiple phone numbers (landline phone, cell phone, office phone etc.) belonging to a fireman. These days majority of people carry cell phones. Therefore having separate ‘red phone’ just for emergency purposes is not really necessary or desirable. The XOP Networks Firebar approach makes it more flexible to reach out to a fireman at one of his/her multiple numbers when actually needed.

A meet-me conference is the one in which all participants dial in. A Firebar conference on the other hand refers to a conference where the conference bridge dials out to fellow participants. As people pick up their phone calls, they are placed into a conference. This type of conference service is provided by rural phone companies to voluntary fire departments through out United States.