When it comes to fighting fires, every second counts. No matter what's happening, each emergency situation necessitates a quick response with an adequate number of responders.
And, here, having firefighter management software can be the deciding factor that sways the odds in your favor.
How so?
Here's what you need to know about a Personnel Accountability Management System (PAMS).
What Is Incident Response Software?
According to Boston Fire Commissioner, Joe Finn, "A fire can double in size every minute, so modern firefighting tactics call for a big initial response to hit it hard and fast."[1]
Because of this, managing ground response and support personnel can be incredibly difficult, especially during the early stages of the response.
This is why fire departments rely on a fire incident command system to optimize response deployment and increase accountability.
Such software enables you to know who's responding, who's doing what, where, and when. Armed with this information, you can then formulate unified operation responses in the shortest time possible.
How the Fire Department Dispatch App Empowers Your Efforts
While there are several unique applications for fire management software, three key areas stand out:
Pre-Incident Preparedness
You never know when or where the next emergency will pop up. A department needs to be on its toes, not its heels. For that, they must have real-time awareness of both the available and deployed staff.
With a PAMS, every member of your incident management team is able to account for all personnel in real-time. The cloud-based software is usable on any platform, making it flexible for all situations.
Having a proactive incident response posture as well as firefighter accountability ensures that you can deploy the right teams to the right spots at a moment's notice.
Incident Response
The situation on the ground can change with the turning of the wind.
After responders have been dispatched, they need to quickly size-up the situation and determine whether adequate resources and personnel are on-scene. If not, they then need to promptly request additional resources.
With an incident response system, you can easily identify:
- Who – Which personnel are responding to an incident and who the apparatus staff are.
- What – Which apparatus are responding to the situation.
- When – The estimated time of arrival for each responder.
Incident Management
Here, firefighter accountability is key.
Incident management teams need to be able to track and manage all responding and operating personnel. With a PAMS that leverages real-time updates, incident commanders can better plot their fire activity and asset deployment.
The ability to gather and disseminate this type of information is essential for safe and effective emergency operations. And with a cloud-based system, you can maintain perpetual awareness of responder resources and assignments.
IMT—Fire Management Software Departments Can Depend On
Incident response software has completely transformed how fire departments respond to emergencies. With the right software, they're able to optimize every aspect of an incident response, from preparedness to on-scene management.
But what is the right system for your department?
You've already found it. IMT's personnel accountability management system (PAMS) is the powerful tool your team needs to foster accountability, improve safety, and create better outcomes.
Interested in seeing how firefighter management software could benefit your station? Schedule a demo today.
Sources:
NBC News. What Slows Down Emergency Responders When Every Second Counts.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/what-slows-down-emergency-responders-when-every-second-counts-n194126