Parameter Prioritized Hirable Emergency Service Providers

Abstract

A method for automated operation of a system for summoning help from emergency responders is shown and described. A database contains identity and qualifications of potential responders, as well as their geographic locations. Upon receipt of a call for assistance, the system prioritizes available responders based on qualifications and estimated response time. All of these parameters can be updated in real time to reflect changing conditions, with a list of proposed responders being reprioritized accordingly. The system automates data which formerly was verified manually, and also prioritizes proposed responders relying on parameters based on appropriateness for the specific type of emergency.

Claims

1. A system and method for remotely summoning and obtaining public order intervention at a site of a public disorder by response personnel tasked with maintaining public order, the method comprising: establishing a database of available response personnel, of response qualifications of each one of the response personnel, and of availability of each one of the response personnel, the database administered by a system administrator; transmitting a request for intervention from a party observing the public disorder to the administrator; transmitting a request via the system for intervention by the administrator, wherein the observer can use the system to input various parameters of the public disorder, wherein the administrator parameters include the location of the disorder, the nature of the disorder, the type of service provider needed, and the time frame the service provider is needed; having the system assimilate the administrator parameters to generate a list of potential response personnel from the database, wherein the list is prioritized such that the response personnel that best match the adminstrator parameters are listed at the top of the list; selecting the response personal by the administrator via the system; and monitoring in real time the progress of the response personnel to the disorder.

2. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing selected response personnel comprises determining an acceptable threshold of qualifications of candidates for assigned response personnel.

3. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing selected response personnel comprises determining a hierarchy of qualifications of candidates for assigned response personnel.

4. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing potential response personnel comprises making a choice between response personnel having means of force and response personnel not having means of force.

5. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing potential response personnel comprises making a choice between selecting response personnel having means of force and selecting response personnel not having means of force.

6. The system and method of claim 1, further comprising a step of reassessing the prioritized potential response personnel in light of updating monitoring in real time and declarations of actual availability.

7. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the response personnel comprise at least one of the group including police, emergency medical responders, emergency fire responders, and qualified mental health consultants.

8. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the system administrator comprises a police facility.

9. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the system administrator comprises a 911 call center.

10. The system and method of claim 1, wherein the system administrator comprises a qualified mental health consultant.

11. The system and method of claim 1, comprising the further step of carrying out the method as an application at least partially downloaded to each of respective data processing and communications devices of the system administrator and the response personnel.

12. The system and method of claim 1, comprising the further step of carrying out the method on computers, wherein a supporting computer program is at least partially downloaded to respective computers or data processing and communications devices of the system administrator and the response personnel, and communications signals of the method are transmitted at least partially transmitted over the internet.

13. A system and method for remotely summoning and obtaining intervention at a site of potential or actual need as result of a disturbance by response personnel tasked with assisting with such need, the method comprising: establishing a database in the system of available response personnel, of response qualifications of each one of the response personnel, and availability of each one of the response personnel, the database accessed by an observer of the disturbance; transmitting a request via the system for intervention by the observer, wherein the observer can use the system in input various parameters of the disturbance, where the observer parameters include the location of the disturbance, the nature of the disturbance, the type of service provider needed, and the time frame the service provider is needed; having the system assimilate the observer parameters to generate a list of potential response personnel from the database, wherein the list is prioritized such that the response personnel that best match the observer parameters are listed at the top of the list; selecting the response personal by the observer via the system; and monitoring in real time the progress of the response personnel to the disturbance.

14. The system and method of claim 13, wherein the observer is selected from the group consisting of a parent, teacher, and employee.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatus used in the novel method, and of significant environmental elements involved with the novel method;

[0019] FIGS. 2-8 are representations of screens of electronic devices used in carrying out the novel method, each Fig. showing one communication which may play a role in performing the novel method.

[0020] FIGS. 2-8 show exemplary communications, but do not imply that such communications necessarily occur chronologically in the order presented in FIGS. 2-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown apparatus and diagrammatic environment of an emergency scene and of facilities and personnel of the emergency response team. The scene of an emergency is typically a private residence 100, an office building 102, a retail store 104, or a school 106. Of course, these are exemplary only. The scene of the emergency may comprise other forms of residences such as apartment buildings, industrial and agricultural facilities, warehouses, municipal services such as waste facilities, military facilities, recreational facilities such as a park, a stadium, a carnival site, a beach, and others.

[0022] An emergency is typically brought to the attention of authorities when an on scene observer 108 calls the authorities, such as by using a cell phone 110. Such a call for assistance is routed to a system administrator 112. Administrator 112 is shown only in representative capacity, and may comprise more than one person and more than one discrete facility. At least one person of administrator 112 has a smartphone 114 for communicating with a central processor (not separately shown, but integral with administrator 112) and with individual potential emergency responders 116. Each potential emergency responder 116 has a smartphone 114, the latter having downloaded software making its possessor part of the novel response system. The novel system may communicate by electronic telecommunications networks, shown as cloud 118.

[0023] The novel response system may be thought of as a method for remotely summoning and obtaining public order intervention at a site 100 or 102 or 104 or 106 of potential or actual public disorder (i.e., and emergency situation) by response personnel 116 tasked with maintaining public order. The method may include establishing (e.g., administered by administrator 112) a database of available response personnel 116, and of assumed availability of each one of the response personnel 116.

[0024] The method includes transmitting a request for intervention from a party (e.g., observer 108) detecting potential public disorder to administrator 112, and having system administrator 112 initially prioritize potential response personnel 116. It will be understood that this prioritization may be performed automatically by software of a data processor which is associated with administrator 112. In this sense then, administrator 112 may refer to one or more people, or, depending on context, to one or more data processors. The method includes monitoring in real time all potential response personnel 116 for availability to respond to the request for intervention. As will be further detailed hereinafter, this monitoring may be automated.

[0025] The method includes having each of the potential response personnel 116 issue an availability input declaring whether each is actually available to respond to the request for intervention. Again, this may be performed automatically by having response personnel 116 log into and out of the novel system via respective smartphones 114 (see also FIG. 8 and discussion thereof).

[0026] The method includes confirming or alternatively, revising initially prioritized potential response personnel 116 in light of reassessing initial prioritized potential response personnel 116. Based on confirming or revising the initially prioritized potential response personnel 116, a final selection of response personnel is assigned to address the potential (or actual) public disorder (i.e., the emergency).

[0027] Response personnel 116 may comprise at least one of the group including police, emergency medical responders, emergency fire responders, and qualified mental health consultants. In many situations, a number of types of response personnel 116 will not be appropriate for any one given emergency situation. It should also be noted that a variety of different emergency situations may have the advantage of including a mental health consultant or professional, as well as personnel trained to cope with the particular emergency type. Similarly, system administrator 112 may comprise a police facility such as a police station (not shown), a 911 call center (not shown), FEMA, a parent, teacher or school administrator, a qualified mental health consultant, or any combination of these.

[0028] In the method, the step of initially prioritizing selected response personnel may comprise determining an acceptable threshold of qualifications of candidates for assigned response personnel 116. This form of the method identifies a pool of potentially equally acceptable candidates.

[0029] It may be preferred that in the method, the step of initially prioritizing selected response personnel 116 comprise determining a hierarchy of qualifications of candidates for assigned response personnel 116. This form of the method generates a prioritized list of best qualified candidates. The hierarchy of qualifications is further discussed hereinafter.

[0030] In the method, the step of initially prioritizing potential response personnel 116 may comprise making a choice between response personnel 116 having means of force and response personnel not having means of force. Means of force refers to weapons which may be standard equipment for e.g. uniformed or plain clothes police officers. In some situations, the authorities may be required to respond to a weapon based threat. However, in other situations, visible presence of weapons may exacerbate the situation. Making this judgment is part of the novel system.

[0031] Optionally, in the method, the step of initially prioritizing potential response personnel 116 may comprise making a choice of selecting both responding personnel 116 having means of force and also selecting other response personnel other not having means of force. This option gives an alternative to universally armed or totally unarmed responders. For example, armed police officers may be summoned, along with unarmed mental health professionals. The intent here may be for example to have the mental health professionals take the initiative in communicating with people in distress, but to have a backup plan to deal with potential violent escalation of the situation.

[0032] The method may comprise a step of reassessing initial prioritized potential response personnel 116 in light of updating monitoring in real time and declarations of actual availability. Monitoring availability in real time may turn up a change in availability status of one or more response personnel 116. This may occur for example should some response personnel 116 be assigned to assist with another situation. A declaration of actual availability refers to an input to the system made by individual response personnel 116 on their own initiative, using for example smartphone 114.

[0033] Thus far, the novel method has been described in terms of response personnel using smartphones 114. As an alternative, the novel method may be carried out as an application at least partially downloaded to respective data processing and communications devices such as laptop computers 120 and personal computers 122 and corresponding data processing devices. In an application or on a laptop computer 120 or a personal computer 122, software may be distributed only as necessary, without the entirety of the software being loaded into any one smartphone 114, laptop computer 120, or personal computer 122.

[0034] Where the method is carried out on computers (e.g., laptop computer 120 and personal computer 122), a supporting computer program may be at least partially downloaded to such computers or to communications devices (e.g., smartphones 114) of system administrator 112 and of response personnel 116. In purely computer based embodiments of the novel system and in hybrid embodiments utilizing both smartphones 114 and also computers, communications signals used in the method may be transmitted at least partially over the internet.

[0035] FIGS. 2-8 show exemplary screen content which may come into play as the novel method is practiced. In FIG. 2, an advisory message appearing on a screen 124 of smartphone 114 of system administrator 112 is shown. In this example, an observer 108 has reported an emergency using the 911 system. FIG. 3 shows a subsequent screen 126 wherein a map is displayed, to enable system administrator to identify a geographic location of the just-reported emergency. This location may then be forwarded to responding personnel 116. FIG. 4 shows a screen 128 enabling system administrator 112 to identify particular aspects of the emergency, so that appropriate response personnel 116 can be prioritized and assigned.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a screen 130 identifying and prioritizing proposed response personnel 116. Divided between mental health providers or professionals, in this exemplary listing, response personnel 116 are identified by name, professional qualifications best matching the need presented by the given emergency are represented as stars such that the greater the number of stars, the better fit of the service provider (the star rating is also influenced positivel if the service provider is geographically within range of the emergency or negatively if not, and with estimated response time in minutes shown.

[0037] Although content of screens 124-130 could be shared among all participants in the novel method, this content is deemed indispensable to system administrator 112. By contrast, content of screen 132 in FIG. 6 could be widely disseminated throughout participants in the novel method. Notably, screen 132 graphically reports progress of a mental health provider (represented as a vehicle 140) and of a security provider (e.g., armed police, represented as a vehicle 142) in traveling to the scene 134 of the emergency. Screen 132 also gives the operator of associated smartphone 114 automated direct access to these service providers for voice or text communication. Contact is effected by contacting screen 132 at respective contact cues 144 and 146.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a screen 148 enabling system administrator 112 to evaluate performance of emergency responders 116 after the emergency has been dealt with. These qualifications may include individual professional qualifications, adherence to projected time to arrive at the scene of the emergency, a record of how well the situation was addressed by that emergency responder 116 being evaluated, and miscellaneous information. These options are available for both mental health providers and also for security providers.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a screen 150 comparable to screen 148 of FIG. 7, but intended to be filled out by emergency responders 116. Responders 116 may enter their professional qualifications (e.g., for updating obsolete database information), enabling current location using GPS, to enable rapid automated location and travel time calculations, and confirmation that the individual is indeed on duty. Optionally, log in and log out times may be entered. Optionally, the act of indicating that the service provider is on duty also enables current location detection. Logging in may optionally be used to infer that responder 116 is actually available. Data entered into screen 148 may operate via toggle type operators, shown at the left of a list of types of data to be entered in FIG. 8. This expedites erasure and clearing screen 148.

[0040] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.