Emergency Communications Systems: Don't get Caught off Guard with Outdated POTS Lines.
There’s nothing quite like fall in New England. The leaves create a vibrant collage of color across our landscape, comfort foods start making an appearance, the nights grow cooler, and football season is in full swing!
Most of us here at SCG would agree that we can easily be caught off guard by the smell of fresh cider donuts or grandma’s apple pie. And, just like you, we want our favorite team to have a strong offensive line to protect the quarterback. Like your football team you want to make sure you have a safe and reliable emergency communication system for your staff and customers. If your emergency communication systems still rely on an outdated POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line, you could be sacked for a loss.
Fall is a great time to make sure your emergency communications infrastructure is ready for the game so you can sit back and enjoy all the wonderful things about fall in New England, worry free.
The Limitations of Outdated POTS Lines
POTS lines, once the backbone of emergency communication systems, are quickly becoming obsolete. In 2019 the FCC officially granted telecommunications carriers permission to abandon copper POTS lines. This FCC order (19-72A1)mandates that POTS lines must transition to an alternative service. The result is rising costs and significant delays for service outages. With aging and decayed infrastructure not being maintained or repaired, their vulnerability to weather-related outages, particularly during the storm-heavy fall season, makes them unreliable for handling emergency situations. For these and other reasons, businesses across the country are now upgrading from copper cable to fiber, cellular, broadband and Wi-Fi.
Assessing Your Current POTS Infrastructure
How do you know if your POTS lines are reliable? Just like any of your favorite sports teams, you need a plan before the big game.
Step 1: Evaluate the state of the current POTS line.
Does your system use outdated copper lines for connectivity? Is your system original to the building and in need of an update?
To avoid being caught off guard, it’s important to examine how your system performs under duress. Have you experienced outages or inconsistent performance during storms or power failures?
Step 2: Identify your critical communication needs
E911 and fire alarm notifications are needed to work in emergency situations. Do you have a mass notification system? It’s important to identify the critical functions within your emergency communication systems, and make sure they are operating properly.
By focusing on these key functions, you can create a POTS replacement plan that ensures uninterrupted service when you need it most. Emergency communication systems must work flawlessly under pressure, and modern alternatives provide more stability than their outdated predecessors.
Step 3: Look at reliable alternatives to POTS lines
There are several technologies that offer a superior alternative to POTS lines. SCG Secure 360 Solutions offers cellular, Wi-Fi and Fiber Optics. Our solutions are designed to handle the demands of today’s emergency situations.
Cellular backup, Wi-Fi and fiberoptics are designed to keep your communication lines open, even during power outages.
Each of these technologies can be customized to suit the needs of your company. We want to ensure that your emergency communication systems remain dependable, no matter the situation.
Step 4: Implement redundant communication channels
One way to make your emergency communications system robust is to build in redundancy. Building multiple channels such as combining VoIP with satellite or mobile networks will ensure that communications is maintained if the other system goes down.
Step 5: Plan for a seamless transition
Careful planning is needed when you upgrade emergency communication systems from a POTS line to a more modern option. At SCG Secure 360 Solutions, we start with a complimentary onsite assessment to develop a step-by-step plan that outlines when and how the replacement will occur. Our careful planning will ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to your operations.
Once your new system is in place, it’s important to test it under different conditions. By simulating different emergency scenarios, we can ensure that the system will work effectively when it’s needed most. Planning and testing help prevent any surprises and ensure that your organization remains connected during an emergency.
Step 6: Training staff on the new system
Your staff are the front line for your success. Understanding how to use the new system is important. Empowering them with training will give them the confidence they need to use it and know what to do in case of an emergency. Reinforce that training with periodic drills to help them stay on top of their game too.
Step 7: Monitoring and maintaining the new system
Like any good coach, we must monitor the team and maintain the tools! It is good practice to regularly maintain your system to keep it running smoothly. Conducting regular tests will help catch any potential issues before they can cause a system shut down
Step 8: Reviewing Your emergency plans annually
Security systems don’t have a draft but reviewing your systems is like reviewing your team annually, so make it a part of your overall safety plan. As your business grows, or you add new facilities, your communication needs change.
This yearly review will help to keep your system aligned with best practices and ensure that your organization is ready to handle an emergency.
Conclusion: Ensuring safety with modern emergency communication systems
Upgrading outdated POTS lines to amore modern communication solution is an important step in ensuring that your business is ready for any emergency. By following the 8steps, you can identify, plan, implement and train your staff on a modern emergency communication system and enhance your organization’s ability to respond in an emergency.
If you’re going to be caught off guard this fall, we hope it is only by the wonderful smell of fresh cider donuts and apple pie!
Don’t let outdated systems leave you vulnerable. Ensure your emergency communication systems are ready for the fall season and beyond, providing peace of mind and security for everyone in your environment.
Reach Out Today to Secure Your Business: Contact us at https://www.structureconsulting.net/secure360solutions/home