CONSENSUS FOR CHANGE – Similarities and Differences in APAC
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
In our article COVID-19 pandemic accelerates demand for public safety technology, we highlighted major findings of the Consensus for Change report published in September 2021 and how Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation’s (MRT) is using video and software technology to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by detecting persons with elevated temperature before they board the train.
In this part, we zoom in on findings specific to some Asia-Pacific countries, as well as case studies relevant to each of the top themes – namely, Safety Expectations Redefined, Technology Transformation and Trust & Transparency.
Table of contents
Australia – tech to predict safety risks
Australia is known to be an innovative nation with many early adopters of technology. It has fast and reliable Wi-Fi technology and the Victoria Police of Victoria state are known to be the first police force in the world to use wireless communication in patrol cars in 1922, and today, Australia’s public safety agencies and enterprises are harnessing the nation’s highly skilled talent and advanced digital infrastructure to improve their services.
Secure digital communication has a safety aspect from our perspective because it transmits information and data back to the organization from the workforce in a number of ways. It can also support workers being able to do things like video streaming, helping them to provide better treatment and care for patients in the field.”
In general, Australians are positive about the role of technology in providing safety, and 70% say they want those who keep them safe to have access to advanced technology to deliver their services, whilst how technology is used also matters to Australians, with a significant 81% saying that data privacy is important to them. Other significant findings from the research include:
• 74% say it makes sense to use technology to predict safety risks.
• 73% believe integrating fast and flexible technology will improve public safety.
• 69% say video cameras are useful in public places but also at home and work.
Australia comprises a roughly equal split between what researchers describe as “catalysts” (43%) and “advocates” (46%). That is, those who want to see innovation applied to improve safety as well as those who are happy to see that change but don’t necessarily want to lead it. Just 11% were “pragmatists”; those who are reluctant to see more new technologies introduced to improve safety.
As to how public safety organisations in Australia are adapting to technology, Mark Rogers, Chief Operating Officer of Ambulance Victoria said, “Secure digital communication has a safety aspect from our perspective because it transmits information and data back to the organization from the workforce in a number of ways. It can also support workers being able to do things like video streaming, helping them to provide better treatment and care for patients in the field.”
Meanwhile, Paul Barnes, Director IT Operations & Communications, Fire and Rescue New South Wales said, “When a call comes in, our software now looks at the location and status of every appliance (fire truck) and displays the two closest available to the dispatcher, regardless of where they are. One of those could be an appliance that’s just finished a job and is on its way back or it may be other appliances that are closer to that incident. It’s been able to provide us with decision making support and improve how quickly we get to an incident.”
Singapore – optimistic with good grasp of tech
Singaporeans are highly optimistic about technology and how it can provide safety. Respondents have high levels of understanding and a good grasp of how technology works and can benefit them. They are also willing to support innovation so long as they understand how it can help them and protect their data.
Singaporeans embrace a strong safety culture and see their nation as one of the safest places in the world.
The solution is currently being trialled by the Singapore Police Force and aims to provide officers with greater situational awareness before they arrive on scene.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which is responsible for agencies including police, law enforcement, border control and corrections are known collectively as the Home Team and work in close partnership with the community to keep Singapore safe and secure.
Many Singapore citizens understand the important role that technology plays in keeping them safe. They trust their agencies and they want to play a greater role in supporting them in delivering public safety services.
An example of a technology that fosters closer partnerships between citizens and police is a live video streaming function that allows 999 emergency callers to stream live footage from the scene via their mobile phones back to a command centre. The solution is currently being trialled by the Singapore Police Force and aims to provide officers with greater situational awareness before they arrive on scene.
Significant findings from the research include:
• 77% of Singaporeans believe that technology is necessary to make emergency services efficient.
• 76% say that using technology in public safety ensures business continuity and productivity.
• 73% want to be able to use technology to help make their communities safer.
• 72% say they need to be able to trust organizations that hold information about them.
Singaporeans are uniquely optimistic about the use of technology in public safety. In total, 92% of respondents advocate for the use of technology to make Singapore safer.
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit is one of the organisations which has embraced public safety technology and Leow Wee Lee, its Head of Communication said, “Crowd management is essential and paramount in running a railway, both during the pandemic and in normal times. Part of our digitalisation journey is to create ‘intelligent’ stations for the future. We want to make the best use of technology to manage crowds and understand public behaviour to help us deliver better services.”
Taiwan – recognising potential of video security tech
Like Singaporeans, Taiwanese are also generally optimistic about the effectiveness of technology for public safety. Around two thirds believe that using video security technology helps to prevent crime, whilst 71%, believe that emergency services have the right technology to collaborate effectively and deliver their services.
Taiwan citizens are well accustomed to the use of technology for safety. Having learned from the SARS outbreak of 2003, Taiwan’s government was quick to introduce technology to combat COVID-19. Realising the full significance of the pandemic the Taiwanese government instituted a wide-ranging public-health response. Authorities introduced QR code scanning and online reporting of health symptoms for citizens.
All three archetypes — “catalysts”, “advocates” and “pragmatists” — identify the COVID-19 pandemic as a key driver of change. This makes Taiwan unique among most markets surveyed. Almost three-quarters of Taiwanese people think the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the need for increased communication within and between public safety organizations to respond more effectively to evolving risks.
Having learned from the SARS outbreak of 2003, Taiwan’s government was quick to introduce technology to combat COVID-19. Realising the full significance of the pandemic the Taiwanese government instituted a wide-ranging public-health response. Authorities introduced QR code scanning and online reporting of health symptoms for citizens.
As with most developed markets, data security and confidentiality are also a priority for Taiwanese respondents. In Taiwan, 79% say data privacy is important to them and 74% want to know what information is being collected about them. Other significant findings from the research include:
• 74% believe technology is necessary for the efficiency of emergency services.
• 73% believe advanced technology is needed to address the challenges of a modern world.
• 70% want to be able to use technology to help make their communities safer.
• 67% say using technology to create safe working environments ensures business continuity and productivity.
The survey found that 49% of Taiwanese are “catalysts”, 36% are “advocates” and the remaining 15% are “pragmatists.”
On how it has adapted to the technology, a Taiwanese public safety organisation which declined to be named said, “Through our radio system we can gather valuable IoT (Internet of Things) information. For example, identifying incidents that happen at various locations like a door being left open or the loss of power at one of our facilities. This kind of information helps to determine if there has been a security breach. That became even more important during COVID-19 lockdowns when fewer staff were moving around and inspections of some sites moved out from monthly to quarterly.”
In the next article, we will highlight some case studies by the top three themes.