In an era where technology rapidly transforms our daily lives, New South Wales is taking a significant leap forward in emergency response services.

The state has introduced a groundbreaking initiative to change how residents report and interact with emergency services.

Starting today, Triple Zero (000) calls can be livestreamed, allowing callers to send live video footage directly to emergency call operators.

This innovative approach, powered by the GoodSAM platform, is named 'BluLink' and is designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of emergency responses.

NSW introduced BluLink, where Triple Zero calls can be livestreamed. Credit: @nswpolice / Instagram

With BluLink, callers can provide real-time video, precise GPS locations, digital media uploads, and even text messages when speaking on the phone might be too dangerous or impractical.

The introduction of BluLink follows a successful 12-month trial in selected metropolitan and regional areas of NSW, which began in February 2023.

The trial proved instrumental during the investigation of the Bondi Junction stabbing attacks and was credited with aiding in the location of over 100 missing persons and at least 60 lost bushwalkers.

Yasmin Catley, Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, emphasised the importance of community involvement in emergency situations.

'Police rely on members of the community to accurately describe an incident, so they know what they're dealing with and how they need to respond; 'BluLink' gives them unrivalled access to a scene before they've even arrived,' Catley stated.

‘On average, police receive more than 1500 emergency calls for assistance every day; this technology will help triage and respond to incidents more effectively than ever before.’

Assistant Commissioner Stacey Maloney, Commander of Technology and Communication Services Command, also praised the new technology for its potential to save time and resources.

'You never know when you might be in an emergency or need to call triple zero (000), and 'BluLink' could help if something were to happen,' Maloney said.

Key Takeaways

• Triple zero emergency calls in NSW will have the option to be livestreamed to operators via the GoodSAM platform's 'BluLink' feature.
• The new technology allows callers to send real-time video, provide exact GPS locations, and digitally upload media or text, particularly in situations where speaking may be too dangerous.
• A 12-month trial showed the effectiveness of the technology in assisting police with incidents such as the Bondi Junction stabbing and locating missing persons.
• Police and authorities believe that 'BluLink' will significantly enhance their ability to rapidly assess and respond to emergencies, acting as an efficient tool to triage incidents.

Do you feel more secure knowing that emergency services can now see what's happening in real-time? Or do you have concerns about privacy and the use of this technology? Share your opinions in the comments below!

 

[gamiry]

what earthly good is this to people like me who, for some reason, do not have, cannot use bloody mobile phones. I now can't do my internet shopping with IGA because I don't have a mobile phone. These cursed things are useless to people like me or to people in the biggest black spot in Qld like my friend who has no phone and no internet. Then, of course, we have the phone lovers who happily pay for the privilege to get scammed.

 

[Clancieblue]

We will have self appointed roaming reporters sending video's of everything to 000. Big mess.

 

[elaine41]

what earthly good is this to people like me who, for some reason, do not have, cannot use bloody mobile phones. I now can't do my internet shopping with IGA because I don't have a mobile phone. These cursed things are useless to people like me or to people in the biggest black spot in Qld like my friend who has no phone and no internet. Then, of course, we have the phone lovers who happily pay for the privilege to get scammed.

Firstly, this is for NSW residents, not Qld. So you don't have to worry about not being able to use it. Secondly, you can buy a cheap mobile phone & get rid of your landline one. Monthly charges for me were way lower when I went to mobile from landline. I am in my 80s & have no kids to teach me how to use it but I have managed very well. BTW your local library will usually help you set up & get going with a mobile phone.

 

[magpie1]

Any advancements in technology when using the triple zero emergency number surely must be a good thing for the majority of the general public who may require emergency help from the police, ambulance or fire departments. It is an essential service and has proved it's worth on countless occasions in the past and will continue to do so into the future. Let's hope that it continues to advance even further for those that need it.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Firstly, this is for NSW residents, not Qld. So you don't have to worry about not being able to use it. Secondly, you can buy a cheap mobile phone & get rid of your landline one. Monthly charges for me were way lower when I went to mobile from landline. I am in my 80s & have no kids to teach me how to use it but I have managed very well. BTW your local library will usually help you set up & get going with a mobile phone.

There are still people who can't afford a phone whether it is a land line or mobile and at the moment it may just be NSW but undoubtedly it will roll over to Qld as well as other states. I have a mobile but have to rely on wifi as I don't have data. BTW not all local libraries can or will set up your phone.

 

[darrellh]

There may be friends, neighbours or community organisations who will help you set them up as well as the telcos themselves. There are a lot of helpful people out there if you just ask for it.

 

[freedy50]

We will have self appointed roaming reporters sending video's of everything to 000. Big mess.

It's live so they'd be a bit stupid if they tried doing that.

 

[Gaena]

what earthly good is this to people like me who, for some reason, do not have, cannot use bloody mobile phones. I now can't do my internet shopping with IGA because I don't have a mobile phone. These cursed things are useless to people like me or to people in the biggest black spot in Qld like my friend who has no phone and no internet. Then, of course, we have the phone lovers who happily pay for the privilege to get scammed.

No disrespect is intended but your post is a little confusing,
I sympathise with your issues with mobile phones, my smart phone is very nuch smarter than I am and I find using it very problematic, when all I want to do with it is make phone calls, not use it to access the internet, I use my computer for that and I do not have anyone younger than 60 years old around me, so have no younger person to help with unlocking the mysteries of the phone. You mentioned being unable to use it anymore to order from IGA, sounds as if IGA want you to do your shopping using an APP, which most stores seem to favour now, I personally hate APPS as I find them confusing but in order to do your shopping on line you must have internet access, how were you making your order before?
the original story was about live streaming information to emergency services,As mentioned by another member the opportunity to "live stream" information to the emergency services is currently only available to NSW residents not QLD where you live so it is not an issue for you to navigate at the moment.
Being scammed on a mobile phone comes down to the user not being able to use their phone the way it was intended and is not an automatic happening, common sense needs to be applied as well so that a scam cannot happen to you.

 

[freedy50]

There may be friends, neighbours or community organisations who will help you set them up as well as the telcos themselves. There are a lot of helpful people out there if you just ask for it.

Unfortunately people want to start off being negative about things like this for some reason.

This is something NSW does.....

Seniors Card Tech Savvy Seniors

A NSW Government initiative in partnership with Telstra assisting seniors to gain confidence in building technology skills, through free or low-cost classes.

www.nsw.gov.au

 

[freedy50]

No disrespect is intended but your post is a little confusing,
I sympathise with your issues with mobile phones, my smart phone is very nuch smarter than I am and I find using it very problematic, when all I want to do with it is make phone calls, not use it to access the internet, I use my computer for that and I do not have anyone younger than 60 years old around me, so have no younger person to help with unlocking the mysteries of the phone. You mentioned being unable to use it anymore to order from IGA, sounds as if IGA want you to do your shopping using an APP, which most stores seem to favour now, I personally hate APPS as I find them confusing but in order to do your shopping on line you must have internet access, how were you making your order before?
the original story was about live streaming information to emergency services,As mentioned by another member the opportunity to "live stream" information to the emergency services is currently only available to NSW residents not QLD where you live so it is not an issue for you to navigate at the moment.
Being scammed on a mobile phone comes down to the user not being able to use their phone the way it was intended and is not an automatic happening, common sense needs to be applied as well so that a scam cannot happen to you.

If you're in NSW then try this.....

Seniors Card Tech Savvy Seniors

A NSW Government initiative in partnership with Telstra assisting seniors to gain confidence in building technology skills, through free or low-cost classes.

www.nsw.gov.au

 

[Gaena]

If you're in NSW then try this.....

Seniors Card Tech Savvy Seniors

A NSW Government initiative in partnership with Telstra assisting seniors to gain confidence in building technology skills, through free or low-cost classes.

www.nsw.gov.au

Thank you for that, most states offer services for seniors to help with tech stuff, some are free and easy to access some not so much, the seniors have to want the knowledge to take advantage of the services available, some are easily confused and not aware of the help on offer and others are uncomfortable with asking for help!

 

[PrincessFiFi]

what earthly good is this to people like me who, for some reason, do not have, cannot use bloody mobile phones. I now can't do my internet shopping with IGA because I don't have a mobile phone. These cursed things are useless to people like me or to people in the biggest black spot in Qld like my friend who has no phone and no internet. Then, of course, we have the phone lovers who happily pay for the privilege to get scammed.

Have they taken the ability to do your online shopping away from you? I just signed up and am able to do online shopping from my computer. There is an app which has been developed for those who prefer to do their shopping from their phone but it appears you do not have to use it.
The article is about enhanced safety features for emergency services - as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words" and in my experience when dealing with these services it would have been far easier to send a video than to describe the awful scenes that I have witnessed and for the emergency operator to understand the scope of the situation. Technological advancements like these could be a life saver for someone, if it helps the correct services to get there faster. Additionally for those who cannot speak for whatever reason it is a game changer - obvious threat in the house for instance. If you don't have the technology to use these services then please continue with your current mode of contact.

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

Great idea. Love it. Why has this not happened before?

 

[BlackWolf]

this is a good thing. 1) if you can't talk to 000 operators I.e. dangerous to do so, like home invasion happening or domestic Violence and you don't want the assailant to hear you. 2) like unable to physical talk, like choking and on your own. Its real-time video can show what happening, in real time and if you in a panic or worst, they can see what actuality is happening. to precise GPS locations to where you are, but not know exactly where you are.

 

[Gaena]

Great idea. Love it. Why has this not happened before?

This kind of service is used in the UK as well as the USA, as usual Oz is a little slow to bring this kind of much needed service to our own triple zero emergency services but it looks as if they have caught up even if only NSW at the moment the ability to save lives as this service will certainly do can only be a good thing for all of us.

 

[Clancieblue]

It's live so they'd be a bit stupid if they tried doing that.

Yes, I read that, but how many people can be sending live images,000 can receive many calls for the same emergency. Wait till the traffic jams start happening with good Samaritans recording live images.

 

[June E]

Firstly, this is for NSW residents, not Qld. So you don't have to worry about not being able to use it. Secondly, you can buy a cheap mobile phone & get rid of your landline one. Monthly charges for me were way lower when I went to mobile from landline. I am in my 80s & have no kids to teach me how to use it but I have managed very well. BTW your local library will usually help you set up & get going with a mobile phone.

You can get a Telstra mobile for way under $100 there is even a special seniors one wth bigger numbers etc.. Aldi do a mobile phone plan for $17 which I have and have never had to pay extra for it and I use it a lot.. maybe worth thinking about ?

 

[Clancieblue]

You can get a Telstra mobile for way under $100 there is even a special seniors one wth bigger numbers etc.. Aldi do a mobile phone plan for $17 which I have and have never had to pay extra for it and I use it a lot.. maybe worth thinking about ?

May save your life

 

[June E]

May save your life

Aldi that was $17 a month by the way