Reliable communication during emergencies is not optional in senior living and healthcare environments. First responders must be able to communicate clearly and consistently inside buildings where thick walls, concrete, steel, and modern construction materials can block radio signals.
Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) are designed to eliminate these communication gaps. HealthSignals delivers ERCES solutions that support uninterrupted radio communication for emergency personnel, helping communities meet life safety requirements and remain compliant with applicable codes and standards.
Why Senior Living Communities Can’t Ignore ERCES
ERCES, or Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems, are life safety systems that ensure first responders can maintain radio communication throughout a building during an emergency. These systems are specifically designed to address indoor coverage challenges caused by construction materials that interfere with public safety radio signals.
In senior living and healthcare environments, reliable emergency communication can directly impact response times, coordination, and outcomes. ERCES helps ensure that responders can operate effectively inside the facility when every second matters.
Why ERCES Is Essential in Senior Living Communities and Healthcare Facilities
Senior living and healthcare buildings present unique challenges for emergency communications due to their size, layout, and construction. Areas such as stairwells, basements, mechanical rooms, and interior corridors are especially prone to radio dead zones.
Without ERCES, these gaps can hinder coordination during evacuations, medical emergencies, or fire response. Implementing a compliant ERCES solution helps reduce risk, improve responder effectiveness, and support overall facility safety.
While ERCES focuses specifically on emergency responder communications, senior living communities often face broader indoor signal challenges. Many senior living communities also address everyday mobile coverage for staff, residents, and visitors through dedicated cellular boost solutions designed for operational connectivity.
You can learn more about how HealthSignals approaches this in our Cellular Boost Solutions for Senior Living article.
Code Compliance and Life Safety Requirements
ERCES systems are often required to meet specific code and regulatory standards, including IFC 510, NFPA 1225, and applicable local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements. These standards apply to both new construction and many existing buildings, depending on local regulations.
HealthSignals designs ERCES solutions with compliance in mind from the outset. This includes coordination with AHJs and license holders to ensure systems meet testing, performance, and documentation requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
What HealthSignals’ ERCES Solutions Include
HealthSignals provides turnkey ERCES services tailored to senior living and healthcare environments. Solutions typically include site assessments, system design and engineering, installation, testing, and annual certification.
Systems are designed to support public safety radio coverage across required frequency bands, including VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz, depending on local responder requirements. This structured, end-to-end approach helps ensure systems function as intended and remain compliant over time.
A Trusted Partner for ERCES Implementation
HealthSignals specializes in connectivity solutions for senior living and long-term care communities, bringing deep experience in healthcare-adjacent infrastructure projects. This focus allows HealthSignals to understand both the technical requirements of ERCES and the operational realities of occupied facilities.
From initial planning through certification, HealthSignals manages the ERCES implementation process with minimal disruption. Ongoing coordination, testing, and documentation help communities maintain compliance and confidence in their life safety systems.
Designed for Ongoing Compliance and Peace of Mind
ERCES is not a one-time installation as it requires continued testing, documentation, and annual certification to remain compliant. HealthSignals supports this ongoing responsibility by helping communities stay aligned with regulatory expectations over time.
By addressing emergency communication proactively, senior living and healthcare operators can reduce risk, support first responders, and strengthen overall life safety readiness across their facilities.