Inter-Authority and Cross-Border Cooperation Using the Tetra Digital Radio Network

Abstract

Introduction:

The Tetra digital radio network enables a secure and encrypted environment for verbal and minimal data (SDS, Unit Alert) communication. In Finland (population 5.6 million), the technology has been in use since 2002, and the network currently has close to 40,000 end-users representing several authorities including emergency medical services and health care, police, fire and rescue services, Border Guard, Customs, and defense forces. The national dispatch authority uses the network to dispatch and communicate with EMS, police, and rescue services, and inter-authority talk groups have been designed to enable direct communication between each or all actors as needed. On a daily basis, the network transmits more than 7.5 million messages and 150,000 verbal contacts. The system has proved to be extremely stable during mass casualty incidents needing simultaneous actions by hundreds of individuals representing several authorities. Finland, Sweden, and Norway have common borders in the north, which EMS units routinely cross on a daily basis responding to urgent missions. Both Sweden and Norway have nationally implemented the Tetra communication network, but are using different operators.

Methods:

The need to facilitate communication between Tetra end-users in the Nordic countries using each other’s networks resulted in an inter-system-interface (ISI) solution enabling network roaming. Between Finland and Norway, the mechanism was launched late in 2017 and is being implemented between Finland and Sweden in 2018.

Results:

Pending configuration of necessary talk groups, the system will be functional and in use in 2019.

Discussion:

Based on agreements on cross-border emergency assistance between Nordic countries in mass-casualty and other major incidents, the countries have developed national capacities to deploy response teams to neighbor countries for on-scene assistance and medical evacuation. Planning of necessary talk groups is in progress, and practical testing will be performed during the Barents rescue exercise hosted by Sweden in 2019.