When it comes to first responders and emergency personnel, communication is essential. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs and 911 dispatchers need to have up-to-date communication as quickly as possible so they can be effective in an emergency situation. While first responders once had to wait for information to slowly appear on a ventral monitor, mobile devices have now changed the way data is shared and received.
The cloud has been especially beneficial in this area, allowing emergency personnel to access records and share information from anywhere with an Internet connection. One service that has proven to be a beneficial addition to the cloud solutions of first responders is fax-over-IP. FoIP uses the Internet to send faxes instead of phone lines, making it more mobile than traditional faxing but also more secure than email or file sharing services. Below are the top five reasons emergency service organizations should adopt FoIP:
"FoIP uses the Internet to send faxes making it more mobile and secure."
1) Redundant in an emergency
The most important qualification necessary for a first responder communication solution is that it can be used during an actual emergency. Natural disasters, blackouts and network congestion can all cause problems for emergency personnel trying to get information, but the cloud offers a level of redundancy other solutions can't provide. If the servers in one area are disrupted, backup servers in another area will fill in seamlessly, offering uninterrupted communication.
2) Easy access to medical records
For paramedics who need to access patient information quickly and on the go, FoIP can help. FoIP creates a cloud-based archive of documents that have been sent and received with the service, connecting EMTs with patient information available through the health care provider they are affiliated with.
3) HIPAA compliant
Speaking of medical records, FoIP services are HIPAA compliant, making it safe for EMTs and paramedics to send health data with FoIP.
Emergency personnel can benefit from the mobility and security of FoIP.4) Mobile
Because FoIP relies on the Internet to send documents, it can be used on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets and works anywhere with a Wi-Fi or data connection
5) Secure
As noted earlier, FoIP services are much more secure than other online communication channels. Documents sent over FoIP are encrypted while in motion and – once they are archived – are stored on secure, private servers dedicated to the organization.
Enhance enterprise communication, collaboration and compliance efforts with a proven mobile faxing solution from FaxCore. Take a look at our cloud fax products, and contact FaxCore today to learn more about 'Partly-Cloudy' fax solutions.
