Firebar Conferencing

Overview

Traditional Firebar or out dialed conferencing is used by 911 dispatch personnel to inform and bring a group of first responders into an emergency audio conference. These systems require dedicated phone lines that terminate on the line side of the central office switch of a phone company. This mode of operation is becomes less desirable as phone companies adopt Soft Switch and Digital Loop Carrier based distributed network architecture. The XOP Networks’ Firebar application resides on the USN that is deployed on the trunk side of the switch/PBX. It provides several enhancements.

  • Can be used with legacy TDM network or with the next generation VoIP network
  • Send calls to any landline or cellular phone instead of just dedicated ‘red’ or emergency phones
  • Select communications medium to be used for message delivery (Voice only, Email only, SMS only or any combination etc.)
  • Support unlimited number of call out groups
  • Send caller-ID of your choice that can be used by recipient’s phone to display associated ’caller name’ (e.g., Fire Chief)
  • Trigger a dial-out based on a) incoming phone call, b) click on a web portal, c) dry contact closure (optional)
  • Schedule one time or recurring dialout calls
  • Display real time call activity on a Web Portal.
  • Provide summary and detailed reports on call completions (Busy, No Answer, Answering machine etc.)

Features

Feature How it works Benefits

Unlimited number of call out groups.

Set-up via Web Dashboard.

Pre-planned group members may belong to different organizations (Volunteer Fire dept., Police, EMS etc.).

Blast Dialing.

Set-up via Web Dashboard, triggered via dial-in or Web.

Multiple responders are called in parallel – reduces the overall time required to contact.

Built-in Find-me capability.

Set up upto 4 phone numbers per individual, plus their email, SMS address.

Improves the probability of reaching an individual first responder.

On-the-fly recording before triggering dialout.

Moderator can dial in and record an emergency specific message before initiating the dialout. The message is heard by the recipients before they elect to join the follow-on audio conference.

Responders can decide whether or not to join a emergency conference just by listening to the initial message.

Call Recording and logs.

All emergency conference calls can be recorded. All call event logs are captured into .CSV files.

Easy access to recordings and call logs simplifies post-event analysis.

Unobtrusive Monitoring of the conference

Set up a Moderator account with Monitoring privilege.

Useful for monitoring/ diagnosing any audio quality issues with a conference.

Multiple in-conference controls.

Moderator can use DTMF controls, e.g., mute /unmute, lock/unlock, dialout and add, etc. during the conference.

Improves overall management of the conference call.

Resources


Solution Brochures
Enterprise
0.4 Mb

With Firebar Conferencing, first response teams and safety organizations can conduct conferencsessions during emergencies with both internal and external agencies. All Firebar conferences are automatically recorded.A useful tool for training purposes or situation debriefs.


Solution Brochures
K-12 Campuses
0.39 Mb

With Firebar Conferencing administrators, safety organizations and police can have internal conference sessions during emergencies. For everyday use dial in numbers can be given to parents for ‘one to many’ discussions with teachers.


Solution Brochures
Local Government
0.42 Mb

With Firebar Conferencing administrators, safety organizations, police and fire can have internal conference sessions during emergencies. For everyday use utilize the ‘meet me’ conferencing capabilities for regularly scheduled planning meetings.


White Papers
Enhanced Firebar Application
0.44 Mb
This White Paper from XOP Networks describes a proactive approach to handle communications during emergency situations. Using the proactive approach, all the appropriate first responders required to handle a given emergency can be brought together on a conference call, literally at a moment's notice, thereby allowing them to respond swiftly to the emergency situation at hand.

White Papers
ILEC Firebar Service White Paper
0.19 Mb
This XOP Networks White Paper explains how to support Firebar/Emergency Conferencing as you migrate your network to a Next Generation Network (NGN). The XOP Networks' Universal Service Node (USN) with the Enhanced Firebar Application can answer all of these challenges, while reducing both CAPEX and OPEX for the operating companies.


Training Videos

Firebar Conferencing: Introduction – Part 1
Firebar Conferencing: Overview of Firebar Conferencing – Part 2
Firebar Conferencing: Setting-up Firebar Conference Rooms – Part 3A
Firebar Conferencing: How to set up Conference Rooms cont. – Part 3B
Firebar Conferencing: Initiating a Firebar Conference – Part 4
Firebar Conferencing: Automatically Initiating a Firebar Conference – Part 5
Firebar Conferencing: Using the Moderators Reports – Part 6