Plymouth University joins €3.5million European project to improve communications between emergency services

Plymouth University has teamed up with experts across Europe in a project to develop new technology which will allow emergency services to communicate together more effectively. The University has received funding in the region of £397,000 (€478,000) from the European Union to take part in the project, named ‘Geryon’. Currently emergency services throughout Europe, such as police, fire brigade, ambulance services and coastguard, use various systems to communicate. This project looks at bringing different systems together using a new technology to enable better interoperability. It aims to ensure seamless regardless of access and take advantage of broadband networks. Nathan Clarke, Associate Professor from the University’s Centre for Security, and Network Research (CSCAN), said: “There are currently different types of telecommunication systems being used by the emergency services, but the interoperability of systems remains a huge challenge. The aim of this project is to bring a standardised approach for so all parties can communicate collectively.