A communication and intelligence gathering system and method for monitoring a crisis scene from a remote command post. The system includes an access node positioned within communication range of multiple observation platforms that each provide information relating to the crisis scene, such as a video feed. The access node communicates with a main transfer module that relays the audio/video/data from the crisis scene to a main transfer module remotely positioned. A second main transfer module communicates with a field command post such that personnel at the field command post can monitor, react to and manage the crisis situation from the remote location. The access node position near the crisis scene also communications video and relevant information to field agents such that the field agents can monitor the video and information from a hand held/portable device.