A two-way, precisely targeted communication network enhances safety in volunteer activities as well.
Minesec, a high-tech security equipment and service provider, offers its CR secure communication system as a complementary solution to the national authority network Virve. The CR system functions as an organization’s own private safety network and is also well suited for coordinating and securing volunteer operations.
The CR security system is a mobile application and safety solution developed by Minesec in 2022 in collaboration with BookIT, to meet the security needs of the nationally operating KEHA Centre. The system already has 8,600 users in Finland. The KEHA Centre is an agency providing development and administrative services for ELY Centres and TE Offices.
Minesec is expanding the availability of its CR security system nationwide for use in volunteer operations, such as volunteer fire brigades (VPK), the Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa), or the Finnish Village Movement.
“We are not aiming to replace the Virve network, but rather to serve as a connector between organizations like VPK, Vapepa, or other volunteer groups and the authorities. With our CR security system, volunteer networks can be activated and organized quickly—without the risk of giving non-authorities access to the official authority network,” says Pasi Nurmela, CEO of Minesec.
Minesec, part of Seniortek, is a developer, integrator, and service provider of high-tech equipment for the security sector. By putting technology at the service of human safety, Minesec builds human-centered solutions for demanding environments.
FAST AND TARGETED SHORT MESSAGING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE
“Targeted and specific communication to the right people, at the right level and in a concise format, is a key safety factor in changing conditions. Organizational mobility is high today, and reacting to situations with the right resources and the right information is essential as circumstances and real-time situational data are constantly evolving. This also applies to volunteer work,” says Nurmela.
In volunteer operations, the CR security system makes it possible to quickly determine how many people are available during an emergency and to rapidly build an action plan based on those available. The system also supports resource coordination. The person issuing the alert can select which group receives it. A person can easily set up, for example, a ten-person leadership group by using a QR code on their phone. Everything else is initiated automatically. Speed and real-time responsiveness are achieved.
“In these situations, there is usually no time to write long responses. A person needs to be able to respond briefly and quickly—like A, B, or C. The system includes ready-made response options, and each message includes built-in response instructions,” Nurmela explains.
If needed, an authority can be brought in to lead the group. The system also has a fallback mechanism: if there’s a disruption in the app environment, the message will be sent as a text message.