(Image from CNN – Link to article)
We raised the same topic earlier in 2020 in an article called the “Fog of War”, a term used by military commanders to describe battlefield uncertainty — regarding preparedness, or any tactical unknowns that could affect outcomes in the field. In the case of Beirut, 2.3 kilotons of TNT was sitting in the middle of a city surrounded with a population of over one million, unaware of the danger!
When the fire call came in, brave responders essentially walked into a “fog of war” until it was too late. Fire Commanders always want to limit the fog of war, and never enter a situation without proper context, knowledge or information — mitigating risk is human nature — especially during emergencies but this did not happen August 4th, 2020.
(Before & after of the Beirut explosion. Photo from USA Today – Link to article)
That’s why incident commanders need to remove uncertainty keeping firefighters and communities safe with the most effective up-to-date, site-specific pre-plan.
Why is pre-planning vital?
Fire department pre-planning has three primary goals:
- Information — what are we walking into and what’s inside the structure.
- Human safety — how to protect firefighters and community members
- Incident stabilization — how do we ensure property conservation and escalation
A pre-plan today is common sense — it’s the only piece of information that can ensure responder and community safety – by knowing what’s inside like layout, hazards etc.
So why are fire departments so limited, or using pen/paper or binders?
Yes, NFPA/ISO requires you to create a pre-plan, and inspection and smart mobile technology makes it possible.
Smart technology is a force multiplier
Smart mobility, broadband networks and cloud technology are force multipliers with the right software. A digital pre-plan can be created, saved and become instantly available, even shared with other mutual-aid partners, in less than 30 minutes per building.
How to get there?
In just over 2 years we’ve helped thousands of fire responders build 10’s of thousands of preplans across North America that are up-to-date, easily accessible, simple to use, effective and fireproof software — we deliver on those words.
Don’t arrive at the next emergency in the fog of war: arrive ready and prepared, with valuable information in the palm of your hand.
Firefighters Don’t Have All The Critical Information They Need
As a Fire Captain with a large Fire Department in Los Angeles, I understand the time savings and efficiency of having the right software has a direct effect on the outcomes of emergency calls.