Condominium complexes, gated communities, industrial compounds, and private roadways are all examples of locations where pedestrian and vehicular traffic is controlled by mechanized gates. Walled and gated areas do a great job of keeping out unwanted individuals and uninvited guests. Unfortunately, they can also do a terrific job of keeping out police, fire, security, and emergency medical services.

As an emergency responder, it is almost impossible to manage all of the keys, access cards, transmitters, and a current list of codes for all the gated properties in a particular response area, let alone an entire city. It is not unusual for response times to be lengthened because of remote-controlled gates. Police and fire dispatchers try to get the reporting party to “buzz-in” the emergency crew or are asked to look up the pass-code on a list stashed away in some binder or drawer.

In Oxnard, Calif., the police and fire departments worked together in identifying a solution that is equally useful to both agencies while providing uninhibited access to gated communities without requiring the city to invest in or track new equipment.

The departments settled on radio identification as the chosen method to gain emergency access to properties with secured perimeters. The only company on the market claiming to offer such a solution is Click2Enter of Sonoma, Calif.

Click2Enter (C2E) gives public safety the ability to open automatic gates with the click of a portable or mobile radio. Coordinating one or two clicks with a visible light prevents spurious radio transmissions from opening the gate accidentally.

C2E is easily programmed and installed. Up to 50 different frequencies can be used including channels for police, fire, ambulance, security, and utility companies. An internal log maintains details on what agency gained access and when, retaining 50 of the most recent transactions.

For more information on Click2Enter, visit www.click2enter.net, e-mail info@click2enter.net or call (877) 939-3800.