One of the most important roles for any firehouse or incident response commander is to make the most efficient use of its available resources. And as the number of fire department calls continues to increase annually,[1] the proper allocation of manpower and apparatus is necessary for a safe, efficient, and effective response.

Here, cutting-edge technologies, such as an incident management system (IMS), can empower decision-makers, giving them access to the tools and information they need to plan, communicate, and respond to an emergency at a moment's notice.

So, how does emergency incident management software boost firehouse efficiency?

Let's review.

#1 Enables the Instant Creation and Deployment of Response Forces

Ensuring that you have a prompt response by an adequate number of responders armed with the necessary tools on hand is easier said than done, especially if the incident commander is operating off-scene. However, when aided by a firefighter incident command system, you have access to staff and resource data in real-time.

An IMS tracks and displays information that shows the real-time level of staffing and preparedness by showing:

  • Ongoing incidents and related information
  • Firehouse apparatus assignment and functionality status
  • Current staff on duty and location status

With greater visibility over personnel and machinery, response teams can then make more proficient usage of their available resources.

#2 Instant Alert and Deployment

An often overlooked aspect of incident response is ensuring that everyone is made aware of an ongoing situation. With fire department software, when an incident is logged into the system, all relevant personnel are alerted via a mobile app and then prompted to log their response status and destination. Within 60 seconds of an emergency dispatch, the entire agency can see a common operating picture of the response staffing status.

#3 Allows for Effective Real-Time Response

Every emergency incident is different. And each one is subject to change in the blink of an eye. Incident commanders must be able to scale up or down their response as the situation on the ground demands.

With any emergency event, chaos can develop. The goal, therefore, is to control it. Or, at least, mitigate it. But for that, you need real-time information, such as:

  • Which personnel are responding to a scene
  • Who are the apparatus staff
  • What apparatuses are responding to the scene
  • When each responder is expected to arrive

Instead of having to communicate this information manually or over the radio—a process that can be slow and error-prone—a personnel accountability management system (PAMS) collates all of this data and also provides responder ETAs so that everyone involved in the incident response has access to the necessary information. At a glance, they can see who will be on the scene, where they are assigned to, and when units will arrive.

Incident Management Technology—Optimizing Every Emergency Response

For firehouses, driving operational efficiency requires more information, increased visibility, and better communication. And when aided by powerful tools such as IMT's PAMS, instilling effective, end-to-end accountability becomes easy.

So, how does the system work in practice?

Schedule a demo today.

 

Sources:

NFPA. Fire department calls. https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Emergency-Responders/Fire-department-calls