You’re An ISO 1 Fire Department, Now What?
Many fire departments in the United States and Canada that are modernizing their operations face the challenge of finding a solution that not only meets their needs now, but also for years to come. Smaller budgets and cost cutting initiatives force many departments to do more with less. Early technology adopters may have relied on Emergency Reporting for their incident tracking and reporting needs, however, with their recent acquisition by ESO, the uncertainty of what comes next may pose a threat to their operations. If you are among those in this situation or are in search of an alternative solution, APX Data has a mobile first suite of products for fire departments and public safety agencies focused on response, compliance and prevention.
While it may seem predictable that our company would recommend APX Data as a better alternative, we do so for good reason. As developers of a robust emergency reporting platform, we understand the unique needs of firefighters and have tailored our solution to meet those needs.
APX Data is transforming fire department response, compliance and reporting with the most advanced mobile, easy-to-use software solution – the best Emergency Reporting Software alternative.
Improve difficult-to-update and maintain records that your modern fire department can use daily… with technology in your hand.
Risks from acquisition by ESO
In 2021, the fire service industry witnessed a remarkable event with the largest acquisition in the emergency sector involving ESO and Emergency Reporting System.
Shortly about: Emergency Reporting System
Emergency Reporting System was a leading global provider of cloud-based fire RMS software. The company catered to over 7,500 fire service and EMS agencies in North America. Moreover, Emergency Reporting had a significant federal presence, serving over 170 Department of Defense/military installations worldwide.
Shortly about: ESO
ESO Solutions, Inc. is committed to enhancing community health and safety by harnessing the power of data. Established in 2004, the company continues to develop innovative, user-friendly software to address the evolving needs of EMS agencies, fire departments, hospitals, and state EMS offices across North America. ESO currently supports thousands of clients with a comprehensive software suite, which includes the industry-leading ESO Electronic Health Record (EHR), a next-generation ePCR; ESO Health
Data Exchange (HDE), a pioneering healthcare interoperability platform; ESO Fire RMS, a contemporary fire Record Management System; ESO Patient Registry, which covers trauma, burn, and stroke registry software; and the ESO State Repository.
While the acquisition between ESO and Emergency Reporting System had its positive aspects, there were also potential negative sides to consider:
- Integration challenges: Merging two companies with different cultures, processes, and systems can be a complex and time-consuming process. If not managed effectively, this could lead to disruptions in operations and negatively impact the quality of services provided to customers.
- Redundancies: With the consolidation of resources and services, there might be overlaps in job roles or product offerings, leading to potential job losses or discontinued products, affecting both employees and customers.
- Resistance to change: Employees from both companies might resist the changes brought about by the acquisition, leading to reduced morale and productivity. This could impact the overall success of the integration process.
- Financial risks: There are always financial risks associated with acquisitions, including the possibility of overpaying for the target company or not realizing the expected return on investment.
- Loss of focus: The process of integrating two companies can divert management’s attention from core business activities, potentially resulting in lost opportunities or reduced efficiency in other areas of the business.
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About the author
Paul Martin, President & CEO, APX Data
Paul Martin has devoted his career to public safety. He has helped departments across Canada and the United States through his work with Airbus and Motorola Public Safety Divisions.
He is currently the founder and CEO of APX Data, a company devoted exclusively to helping fire departments modernize their fire prevention, response and fire investigations through the use of mobile technology.
APX Data was first to market, introducing smart mobile applications to the fire service in 2013. APX has validated information on over 140 million structures in its database for all of the U.S., and is growing at a rate of more than 50% year over year.
To talk to Paul, please connect with him on LinkedIn, visit apxdata.com or call 1-888-240-0591.
More to read:
The Right Technologies To Protect Your Community – According to NFPA
“The world is going digital and standards are getting more complex… digital platforms make it easier to have all information applied to the problem.” Jim Pauley, President NFPA.
Prepare first responders with a pre-plan and smart mobile devices
It’s the twenty-first century, and we’re connected through technology more than ever before. Unfortunately, that can’t be said of those who risk their lives every day to do their job.
Ask yourself: Are your first responders leveraging smart and mobile technologies like iPads and iPhones to implement effective pre-plans immediately? Or are they still relying on paper records stored in your filing cabinet?