Abstract

Going Mobile: Providing Mission-Critical Information to Firefighters
Track: Emergency Medical Services/Fire
Authors: Keith Silverman, Todd Brown

Firefighters require quick access to information during emergencies. Often, the first glimpse firefighters have of an emergency scene takes place upon arrival. This allows only seconds for critical risk assessment, strategic, and tactical decisions to be made. Historically, pre-incident planning involved gathering information, writing it down on paper, and storing it in binders on the apparatus. This type of information management system has proven to be inefficient and cumbersome to use en-route to an incident. Going mobile provides an opportunity to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. This workshop will describe the progression of a mobile system that uses the power of GIS to bring pre-incident planning into the apparatus and puts critical data into the hands of firefighters. Topics covered include: needs assessment, scoping process, multi-agency and stakeholder acceptance process, data gathering phase, and implementation of the system.

Keith Silverman
Franklin Township (NJ) Fire District No. 1
2 Bath Drive
Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844
United States
Phone: 732-921-2163
E-mail: ksilverm56@gmail.com

Todd Brown
Franklin Township (NJ) Fire District No. 1
14 Hollywood Ave.
Somerset, New Jersey 08873
United States
Phone: (732) 213-5946
E-mail: tbrownep@gmail.com