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Home » Firefighters Don’t Have All The Critical Information They Need
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Firefighters deserve the best data collection tools. If you think settling with pen & paper and static PDF’s is sufficient for your data collection needs, then you are leaving a massive gap in response and the safety of your firefighters and the protection of your community. As a Fire Captain, with a large department in Los Angeles,  I understand firsthand the value of data during an emergency call. The reality is that most fire departments are still responding with limited data and only with dispatch information – often just the address & call type. 

Most fire departments are responding with limited dispatch information – often, only address & call type – it’s time to change.

As part of the APX team, which is helping Fire Departments move into the 21st century, it’s now easy and cost-friendly to bridge the gap between functions such as OPS, prevention, and investigation with software to collect key data. All this critical data is instantly assembled into one mapping tool giving an instant, in-depth view of your protection area. Instant access to critical information is possible and will protect firefighters and communities. 

Cities are constantly being challenged and communities are growing at an increasingly rapid rate.

A view of SmartMAP – instant access to building information, nearest hydrants, flow capabilities, fire flow requirements & more!

I’ve been a firefighter for 16 years: it was the 9-11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York that inspired me to make the decision to join the fire service. I’ve been working alongside fellow firefighters protecting our communities, responding to virtually every type of call imaginable. Cities are constantly being challenged and communities are growing at an increasingly rapid rate, this means Fire Departments must keep up, often doing more with less in order to maintain the highest levels of service.

By leveraging a smart mobility solution with up-to-date data will ensure better responses and make your community safer.

But it’s not about adopting just “any software” to collect information for pre-plans, inspection, and investigations, but adopting the RIGHT software, one that:

  • is intuitive/easy to adopt and use
  • fits your needs and the way you operate
  • integrates with other software that you use
  • provides seamless interoperability with mutual-aid (auto-aid) partners
  • is fast, mission-critical, and up to date 
The above list might appear to be a lot, but it’s the bare minimum for your Fire Department’s needs, and APX Data understands that.

Fire Departments need these capabilities, and APX understands that. Take it from our customers; 

 

Not only is it easy and more effective than previous methods, but it also improved our efficiency by more than 300%. Reports are high-level and the analytics are available in minutes.”

Firefighters are well trained, have unique expertise, insight, and extensive knowledge relating to incidents, and now can rely on information that is up to date, instantly available, right at their fingertips.

I encourage you to share this blog with a fellow firefighter, or your chief officer. It’s time that we all have the right tools to ensure safer communities.

Request a pre-plan and have it delivered right to your mobile phone. See for yourself, the power of today’s technology and how the APX software is helping Fire Departments keep their communities safer.

About Richard O’Keefe

Richard joined the fire service in 2004. The September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers had a massive impact on us all and it was no different for Richard.  He saw brave firefighters risking their lives to save community members and each other.  Richard was certified as an EMT, and soon after completing his entry-level firefighter certification he became a paramedic, engineer, and was later promoted to Captain. When Richard is not at the firehouse, he’s involved with the team at APX Data, helping bridge the software gap for Fire Departments across the United States. He believes in providing the right tools to firefighters, so they can make sound decisions to keep their teammates & community safer. 

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