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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- speed and should have enhanced the reliability of
pulling a cord. During the day most 'Sheltered'
this method, but no recent research has been pub-
alarms are monitored by the resident warden and
lished on the subject.
switched to a CAC when the warden is off duty.
Calls can also be triggered remotely by sensors in
Private circuits may, over relatively short dis-
smoke or intruder alarms, either in individual
tances, be established on a 'point to point" basis,
homes or in communal areas.
but over longer distances part of the path between
protected premises and the Central Alarm Station
When an alarm (which may relate to a range of sit-
is usually shared by many subscribers. In the latter
uations where help is required) is actuated, either
case, the many subscribers are connected via the
remotely or by a resident, an electronic signal is
alarm companies' ' Satellites' (data concentrators),
transmitted to the CAC. Detailed information
from where a large number of signals are multi-
about the caller is automatically displayed on the
plexed via private data circuits. This offers a reli-
CAC operator's computer screen.
able, fully monitored signal path at, possibly, the
highest cost.
This information could include vital data on the
caller's personal situation including, for example,
British Telecom's CARE system is quite economi-
medical details. Most of the calls received are not
cal because it uses an existing telephone line. Cost
emergencies and are usually requests for reassur-
is, therefore, independent of distance between the
ance or information. In many cases a CAC can
Central Alarm Station and the protected premises.
respond to a situation by sending out it's own
This system is now available in most areas of the
mobile warden service or alerting family, friends
country.
or neighbours. However, there will be times when
the operator needs to contact an emergency ser-
Vodafone Data Network provides periodically
vice, including the fire service.
monitored communications between a protected
premise and a Central Alarm Station, using Paknet
The policy of the national Association of Social
Radio Access. The cost is the same as a monitored
and Community Alarm Providers (ASAP) is that,
telephone line and is independent of distance
in an emergency, residents should always ring 999
between the protected premises and the Central
directly as this is the quickest way of contacting
Alarm Station. With radio coverage approaching
the Fire, Police or Ambulance Services.
95% of the UK population, Vodafone Data
Network is increasingly being adopted for alarm
There are times, however, when a call will be rout-
communications.
ed via a community alarm centre because:
6.2 Social and Community Alarms
many residents in sheltered housing do not
Centres
have a telephone and their only means of call-
ing for the emergency services is via their
Community (social) alarms are found in the homes
community alarm;
of over one million people, who are described as,
'vulnerable' in the UK. Most of those people are
some residents are able to summon help, per-
elderly and/or disabled but there are many other
haps by activating their pendant, but may not
groups including some of those discharged early
be capable of talking due to a heart attack,
from hospital. Many of the alarms are located in
stroke or fall etc. A CAC operator may,
individual dwellings and are connected to a
24
knowing the circumstances of the caller,
hour Community Alarm Centre
(CAC) via the
decide to call out an emergency service. The
PSTN telephone.
information which the centre possesses
may be vital in ensuring the most effective
A call to a CAC can be triggered by pressing the
response from the emergency services;
button on a portable pendant or on the telephone.
Similar alarms located in sheltered housing
some calls are automatically routed to the
schemes for older people are often activated by
CAC by a smoke or intruder alarm;
60
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