GasNet and Czech firefighters to link dispatch centers via direct data connection, improving field response

GasNet gas workers respond alongside firefighters to hundreds of incidents each year. Most often, they meet at sites where pipelines have been damaged by a third party—for example during excavation and earthworks, car accidents, or as a result of natural forces. Good communication, both in the field and between dispatch centers, is the foundation of their long-standing cooperation. Until now, communication has taken place by telephone only, but work is already under way to directly link their dispatch applications. The memorandum on creating this link was signed by Lieutenant General Vladimír Vlček, Director General of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, and Andrzej Martynek, CEO of GasNet, the largest gas distributor in the Czech Republic.

“Close cooperation between gas workers and firefighters is one of the key pillars of the safe and reliable operation of the gas distribution network. When responding to incidents together, we protect people’s health and property, so it is essential that our cooperation is as effective as possible. The direct data connection between dispatch systems will mark a significant step forward, enabling key information to be passed on more quickly and accurately and improving coordination in the field. This will help boost safety and speed up the response in situations where every second counts,” says Andrzej Martynek, CEO of the GasNet Group.

GasNet workers will soon join the online communication system used by the Integrated Rescue System, known as the “data message”. It allows firefighters, police, medical personnel and other Integrated Rescue System units to easily share information. The system works by sharing all the relevant details, including the address, caller’s name, coordinates and type of incident. The information is then sent to the units whose direct assistance is required.

“GasNet dispatch centers currently communicate with Fire Rescue Service dispatch centers in individual regions via a dedicated mobile line, which we call the red phone. It is used exclusively to make calls and handle requests for assistance between firefighters and gas workers. Adding a data channel to this communication will make the exchange of information much faster and more accurate,” explains GasNet Chief Operating Officer Petr Koutný.

“At many emergencies involving damage to a gas pipeline, firefighters cannot safely continue their response without assistance from gas workers. It is therefore essential that specialists from the gas company reach the scene as quickly as possible. Linking the dispatch centers will significantly speed up requests for assistance,” said Lieutenant General Vladimír Vlček, Director General of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic.

Gas workers have a long-standing relationship with firefighters, and their joint emergency responses are carried out to a high professional standard on both sides. Setting up a new communication channel that directly links their work-management applications will significantly improve the efficiency of joint callouts.

What is a data message?

The data message links the information systems used by gas and fire service dispatchers to manage the deployment of their colleagues in the field. It contains the precise location of the incident and available details about the emergency, such as the type of response required or the caller’s name and contact details. The connection works in both directions and is updated in real time, while the response is under way.

The data message uses closed HTML files sent over a secure, encrypted data connection.

“Linking the dispatch centers via a data line will speed up response times and improve coordination during joint operations. It will also reduce the risk of errors in the transfer of information. We expect to introduce the new system next year,” concludes Petr Koutný.

The data connection between the gas and fire service dispatch centers will provide:

• faster response times
• better organization and coordination of all joint operations
• fewer errors in the transfer of information
• more precise localization of the incident
• two-way, real-time updates on the progress of the response until it is complete
• fewer phone calls