Sunday, 25 August 2024
NSW Police are today officially launching a new platform which will link police and the community, enabling members of the public to interact directly with police dispatchers and police responding to emergencies.
‘BluLink’ allows the public to provide police with GPS coordinates, live video streaming, digital media uploads, and text messages via a link sent to them from Triple Zero (000) dispatchers.
The platform can be used to help police confirm the exact location of an emergency, and for the public to send live vision to police of incidents as they unfold.
The information will assist in the dispatch of appropriate resources by allowing police to better triage incidents, and potentially support subsequent investigations.
Pre-recorded video or photos can be uploaded to police via an attachment request, and the platform’s chat functionality enables text messaging between police and members of the public in situations where voice calls are challenging. These chat messages can be translated into 150 different languages.
Powered by the GoodSAM platform, ‘BluLink’ is consent-based and easy to use, requiring members of the public to click on a link that is sent to them via their smartphones when they call Triple Zero (000). The platform is not an app, so members of the public don’t need to do anything beforehand.
A 12-month trial of ‘BluLink’ across selected Metropolitan and Regional Commands began in February 2023 and assisted with the investigation of the Bondi Junction stabbing incident earlier this year, the successful location of missing persons, and various rescues including lost bushwalkers.
During the trial the following has been achieved,
- More than 8300 locations obtained
- More than 100 High Risk Missing Person locations obtained
- More than 60 Missing Bushwalker locations obtained
- More than 78,000 Digital Victim Cards issued
- More than 700 Live Videos streamed
- More than 8000 digital media files uploaded
- More than 1500 Chat messages initiated
- More than 1600 requests for translation.
Minister for Police and Counter terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said the launch of ‘BluLink’ further strengthens the capability of police and emergency dispatchers by giving them instant, real-time access to unfolding emergencies.
“Police rely on members of the community to accurately describe an incident, so they know what they’re dealing with and how they need to respond; ‘BluLink’ gives them unrivalled access to a scene before they’ve even arrived.
“On average, police receive more than 1500 emergency calls for assistance every day; this technology will help triage and respond to incidents more effectively than ever before.”
Commander of Technology and Communication Services Command, Assistant Commissioner Stacey Maloney, said ‘BluLink’ will link the Police and the community.
“We know that members of the community are our eyes and ears and ‘BluLink’ is an innovative way in which further information can be provided to us during a Triple Zero (000) call, which assists us in enhancing our policing response.”
“’BluLink’ is expected to better assist the public and save time and resources across every police command for both front line and specialist areas.
“You never know when you might be in an emergency, or need to call Triple Zero (000), and ‘BluLink’ could help if something were to happen.”
Examples of successful uses of ‘BluLink’ during the trial include:
•Officers investigating the Bondi Junction stabbing incident on Saturday 13 April and Sunday 14 April 2024, used ‘BluLink’ to review uploaded footage and CCTV.
•On Friday 7 July 2023, two men were injured following a public place shooting at a business on Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Officers were able to request footage of witnesses to be uploaded to ‘BluLink’ which was shared with investigators.
•On Thursday 14 March 2023, two teenage girls were threatened by two unknown males and escorted to an abandoned house believed to be in the Merrylands area. A ‘BluLink’ request was sent to one of the girls, which was able to pinpoint their exact location. Police attended and were able to arrest both offenders on scene.
•About 2.20pm on Wednesday 24 July 2024, a 32-year-old man who was outback country skiing on Mount Tate contacted Triple Zero (000) after losing his skis. The man became stranded and had limited food and no overnight equipment or shelter. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent to the man to obtain his location. Multiple rescue crews were dispatched, and the man was found at 8.46pm and extracted.
•About 2pm on Monday 4 December 2023, two women, aged 72 and 76, contacted Triple Zero (000) after getting lost while bushwalking in Dharawal State Conservation Park in the Illawarra region. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent to the women to obtain their location. Both women were then notified that their location was received, and police were on their way on foot. Police found the women shortly after 3pm.
•On 26 January 2024, a woman called Triple Zero (000) to report her son had become lost during a bushwalk in Barrington Tops, near the Upper Hunter, with only four per cent battery left on his phone. The man was part of a group of four people who set off at 8am. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent at 5.31pm and a location was obtained at 5.35pm. Police officers and PolAir were dispatched to find the lost bushwalkers, with first contact being made at 6.13pm. All four bushwalkers were winched from the scene.
•On 4 February 2024, a 16-year-old boy and his 13-year-old brother became lost in the Blue Mountains after crashing their motorbikes. The younger boy suffered injuries to his face during the crash. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent at 8.13pm as poor phone reception prevented further information from being obtained, with a location obtained at 8.16pm. Multiple agencies responded, and the boys were rescued by 9pm.
• At 9.14am on 12 July 2024, a 14-year-old boy contacted Triple Zero (000) to report his kayak was sinking about 600m out to sea from Clifton, south of Sydney. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent, and his GPS coordinates were received and shared with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Marine Area Command, both of which were able to successfully locate him. The boy was airlifted from the water and reunited with his father on shore.
• At 11.22am on 28 January 2024, a man called Triple Zero (000) after his fishing boat broke down near the vicinity of Montague Island, on the state’s South Coast. A ‘BluLink’ location request was sent and the man’s location was received. He was towed back to shore at 1.34pm.
Images © State of NSW (NSW Police Force).
Nine bushwalkers rescued during separate search operations - Please Register your Hike
Sunday, 25 August 2024
Nine bushwalkers have been rescued in two separate multi-agency operations in the Blue Mountains overnight.
About 6.30pm (Saturday 24 August 2024), emergency services were called to Wentworth Falls following reports five teenage boys – aged 15 and 16 – had become lost while bushwalking within the Blue Mountains National Park.
A command post was established by officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command and with the assistance of the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit and PolAir, police entered bushland and were able to locate them.
About 10.30pm, the boys were assisted out of the bush and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries.
Just before 7pm, a second multi-agency search commenced in bushland near Beauchamp Falls, Blackheath, after reports four men – aged in their 20s – had also become lost while bushwalking.
The group activated a personal locator beacon (PLB) which enabled PolAir to locate them swiftly.
The men were walked out of the bush just before midnight, and were assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Fire and Rescue NSW also attended and provided assistance.
Blue Mountains Police Area Command Duty Officer, Inspector Steven Vuletas, said as the weather warms up and more people get out into nature, it is a timely reminder for intended bushwalkers to always have an appropriate communication plan.
“No matter how experienced a bushwalker may be, it is imperative that they always have with them all the appropriate safety equipment including suitable clothing, food, water, and communication devices,” said Insp Vuletas.
“Whenever heading on a bushwalk, people should have a fully-charged mobile phone, along with additional charging devices. Taking a GPS-enabled Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) will help rescuers should you find yourself in difficulty.
“It is also important to let someone know your intended route, what tracks you are taking and your estimated return time. If there is any change to the original plan, then tell someone,” Insp Vuletas said.
“To make your bushwalk a safe one, please register your trip with the appropriate agency, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and think before you trek – know the weather conditions, know your physical abilities, and plan your route and stick to it,” Insp Vuletas said.
Register your hike at: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety/think-before-you-trek/trip-intention-form
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Photo: Kevin Murray