Abstract: A personal multimedia communication system and network for emergency services personnel includes a plurality of personal communication systems linked together and to a base station in a network. Each personal communication system includes a PDA device mounted on a PASS control console, a video camera mounted on the PDA device, a GPS unit, a microphone, and other electronic devices. The various electronic devices are all communicatively connected to the PDA device. Data from the various devices may be collected in the PDA device and wirelessly transmitted to any other node or device in the network, including other personal communication devices. Each personal communication device may serve as a repeater, thus providing a wireless communications link between a device located out of range of the base station.

Abstract: A communications system is provided for emergency services personnel that includes a plurality of portable devices and a base station. The portable devices are configured to be carried by emergency services personnel while at an emergency site. The portable devices each have a first transceiver configured to communicate over a first network and a second transceiver configured to communicate over a second network, where the first and second networks operate independent of one another. For example, they may have at least one of different first and second carrier frequencies, protocol, channels and the like. The base station has at least one transceiver for communicating with the portable devices over at least one of the first and second networks. Optionally, the first and second networks may have different transmission characteristics, such as different transmit ranges, power levels and the like.