Anticipated events like hurricanes or winter storms often allow police agencies to develop well-coordinated response plans tailored to the needs of the community. However, mass casualty events—such as active shooter incidents or terrorist attacks—present unique challenges that can leave even the most prepared agencies vulnerable.

Unlike natural disasters, these incidents are often sudden, unpredictable, and chaotic, requiring rapid decision-making and specialized emergency response tools. Tools such as cutting-edge communication systems, drones, and medical equipment act as lifelines in such crises, enabling swift action and coordinated efforts to save lives.

Tools for Emergency Response

In a single moment, a vibrant event can turn into a scene of unimaginable chaos and devastation. Tragedies like the 2025 New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, or the Boston (Massachusetts) Marathon bombing in 2013 expose the critical importance of rapid and effective emergency responses.

After consulting in 6 countries and 40 U.S. states, retired Chief of Police Jeff Halstead realized that one of the most significant challenges facing all first responders is the speed and control of mission-critical communications. Drafting emails to inform and update police officers was the norm in the early 2010s, which became a hindrance during crises. After retiring from the profession in 2015, Chief Halstead moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he focused his efforts on researching and conceiving the most advanced, secure, legally compliant, and efficient method for every agency to instantly share information and critical intelligence. “From massive protests to increasing crime trends to the current opioid crisis … law enforcement will always need to work in collaboration with their community,” said Chief Halstead.¹

While launching the beta version of what was then known as Evertel, the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history occurred on October 1, 2017. The tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Festival revitalized Chief Halstead’s efforts. His team of visionary engineers understood that police, fire, and emergency medical services needed the ability to collaborate, share intelligence, and deploy from their smartphones before, during, and after these massive events. Months of extensive research and development led to the relaunch of Genasys CONNECT.

The rebuilt platform became a one-stop-shop for every level of communication to manage the response, coordinate all investigative services, and establish incident command throughout a crisis from any device. The diversity of services and applications within CONNECT enhances public safety services from daily operations to a multiagency natural disaster.

“It is estimated that more than 90 percent of police officers have used texting or consumer apps [like] Signal, GroupMe, or WhatsApp while working,” said Chief Halstead. Agencies have migrated to these platforms because they needed to work faster and smarter to accomplish their mission. Unfortunately, these solutions are not secure, and police use of some apps is even prohibited by state or federal laws.

CONNECT offers an encrypted platform to share information and intelligence. It is reminiscent of other collaboration platforms, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord. The most significant difference is that CONNECT was developed specifically for the public safety profession. With unlimited “guest” connectivity, any agency can add as many accounts as needed for any crisis, crime scene, investigation, or disaster response. These users can access their account via a mobile app or web browser interface to send documents, video, hyperlinks, and more without data being stored on any device.

BRINC, a drone manufacturer in the United States, was also founded in the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting. “The company aims to help agencies de-escalate dangerous situations, gather critical information, and respond faster and more effectively to emergencies,” said Walker Robb, vice president of engineering.²

BRINC’s product lineup includes drone solutions specifically for public safety agencies to interact with the scene rather than simply collect video of the scene. That is exemplified through the Drone as a First Responder (DFR) solution. The BRINC Responder is designed to leave its charging station within five seconds to gather critical situational awareness. While providing overwatch, the DFR device can deliver a wide selection of lifesaving payloads, such as epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPens), automated external defibrillators (AEDs), personal flotation devices, and naloxone.

The drone is equipped with a full high-definition 40x zoom visual camera array, as well as a 640px thermal sensor. The thermal imager can help search and rescue teams locate missing or injured individuals. It also has a communications capability to de-escalate, provide instruction, and give announcements. When customized with agency markings, red and blue lights, and an integrated siren, the Responder can be clearly identified as an emergency response vehicle.

“Responder helps agencies reduce response times to 70 seconds or less to provide information back to dispatch and allocate resources to emergencies effectively,” said Robb. Tools like BRINC’s transparency portal allow communities to view flight logs and mission data, building trust between police and the public.

When responding to a mission -critical incident, like the attacks in New Orleans or Boston, it is imperative to be prepared for the unthinkable. “Officers are often the first to arrive in an emergency,” said Blake Barclay, senior strategic account manager at Coro Medical. “Having the right tools can mean the difference between life and death.”³ The AEDs and Stop the Bleed kits from Coro Medical could be just what officers need in that moment.

Whether it’s outfitting patrol vehicles, tactical units, or community spaces, Coro Medical has remained committed to equipping officers with the resources they need to save lives in critical situations. For instance, AEDs are critical tools for responding to sudden cardiac arrest. When used quickly, they can increase survival rates, so having them in patrol vehicles can ensure an officer can take immediate action before an ambulance arrives. Coro Medical’s AEDs are compact and portable. They feature clear voice prompts, real-time CPR coaching, and automatic shock adjustments based on the patient’s condition. Many models include self-monitoring capabilities to ensure they are always ready for use.

Similarly, Stop the Bleed kits address the need for rapid hemorrhage control. The kit includes tourniquets, hemostatic gauze, and pressure dressings to help stabilize victims and prevent excessive blood loss. Uncontrolled bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death in trauma cases, and the quick application of a tourniquet or hemostatic dressing can save a person’s life.

The need for officers to administer lifesaving care has grown, and agencies are adapting by prioritizing access to critical medical equipment and training.

Conclusion

In times of crisis, emergency response tools serve as invaluable assets for the police. They empower officers to act swiftly and efficiently to ensure the safety of civilians while maintaining critical communication and support for their partners.

As technology continues to evolve, the development and implementation of emergency response solutions will remain vital in protecting lives and fostering resilience during society’s most critical moments.d

Notes:

¹Jeff Halstead (director of strategic accounts, Genasys), email interview, February 20, 2025.

²Walker Robb (vice president of engineering, BRINC), email interview, February 26, 2025.

³Blake Barclay (senior strategic account manager, Coro Medical), email interview, February 28, 2025.

Please cite as

“Specialized Tools for the Unpredictable,” Product Feature, Police Chief 92, no. 4 (April 2025): 94–97.