What type of mobile-data technology is available to fire departments and what can they do with that data?

For years Firehouse Software has captured and stored data back at the station. Increasingly, fire departments need access to critical data on scene or en route to an incident. We have multiple mobile products that will allow officers to have access to occupancy and preplan data; manage incidents and resources in the field, use templates to help manage incidents, complete par checks, and track staff location on scene; complete inspections and create violations, print violation notices in the field, and update critical occupancy data and contact information; enter and manage EMS patient information either in the ambulance or at the hospital; and use action plans to prompt medics based on local protocols.

Any idea what percentage of departments are using a mobile interface or mobile computers?

Police departments have had mobile computers in police cars for a long time; this concept is new the fire and EMS departments. I do believe that a mobile computer in all emergency vehicles will be the norm in a few years. Start-up costs for mobile, rugged computers are high. A small percentage of our users are using our mobile products, however, this number is increasing every year.

Is there any difference regarding acceptance and use of this technology in the United States compared with other developed nations?

Although U.S. fire departments are behind police departments in use and acceptance of this technology, they are still at the forefront compared to many other countries.

What lessons have been learned from using this type of system in police vehicles regarding its application in fire apparatus?

Police cars are mobile offices; officers spend a lot of time in their cars and need access to different kinds of information. Some of the busier fire departments have the same need. We are designing our products to let users use Firehouse in the field just like they use it back at the fire station.

What do you see as the greatest barrier to fire departments employing this technology?

The greatest barriers are the cost of technology and the lack of money. The start-up costs for mobile computing technology are relatively high. In larger departments where budgets are already tight, the costs are higher because of large fleets. Some of the smaller fire departments add this one truck at a time. Some departments use mobile computers supplied by the computer aided dispatch vendor. We are seeing departments adding mobile computers to the fire truck specifications list.

What does it cost to make a fire department's data mobile?

Typically a tough computer with touch screen works better in the fire service. On average fire departments should expect to spend $5,000 to $7,500 for a tough or ruggedized computer, mounting hardware and communication hardware. The software costs are very small compared to the hardware. Our mobile preplan starts at $500.

What is the typical payback time on this investment?

The payback is instant. Let's look at how much time and staff it will take to keep the big preplan binder updated with the latest information on multiple trucks. With our product you do it once and then all the computers on all the trucks are updated automatically. It saves many, many man hours, and you have the latest information. Plus you have instant search features and access to more data that you cannot fit in the binders.

Does this technology depend on an at-scene Internet connection?

There is no need for Internet access in the field. All our products are designed to run locally on the computers they are installed on. However, if an Internet connection is available, we can use it to access and update data in real time and also access important information like weather and wind speed.

How long does operation training take on mobile interface and what are the more difficult aspects of training someone to use this technology affectively?

Whether it is responding to incidents or performing inspections, the user interface has to be easy to use and designed for field use. All of our mobile products have user customizable interface, big buttons and one-touch synchronization features. They are designed for firefighters with minimal computer experience.

What will this technology look like in the next five or 10 years?

Mobile computing is quickly becoming the norm in the fire service because of the need for data in real time. Many municipalities are looking at implementing wireless Internet systems citywide. This will make it very easy for firefighters to access critical data in real time and get additional information, like satellite imagery and weather, as they respond.

Is there a time when there's just too much information for an on-scene fire officer to handle?

Yes. Like anything else you sometimes have too much information. Our products are designed to compliment the primary functions of first responders and to provide information to perform their functions safely and efficiently. Sometimes the focus can change from managing an incident to managing a computer and software.