Abilene, Texas--Abilene firefighters will soon be adding a new tool to their arsenal of firefighting gear. With Apple's iPad tablet device, the Abilene Fire Department will be able to enhance its Pre-Fire Planning program.
Pre-fire plans allow firefighters to study a structure and record information that would be useful if they're called on to fight a fire.
Lt. Greg Goettsch, AFD spokesman, said early testing with a few of the devices shows promising results. "We haven't really found a downside to this program yet," Goettsch said. "It's a lifesaver and a money-saver all rolled into one."
The new technology will allow firefighters to work more safely and eïciently, Goettsch said, with more detailed information available, even before they arrive at the scene of a fire. It also is an important step in helping the city of Abilene achieve a Class 1 Public Protection Classification with the Insurance Services Oïce, a move which could result in reduced insurance rates for Abilene residents.
Abilene has a Class 2 rating with the insurance oïce. Only 62 cities in the U.S. have a Class 1 rating, including 14 in Texas.
Previously, Goettsch said, fire companies created a pre-fire plan while conducting annual fire inspections on commercial properties. Abilene Fire Marshal Phil Hay said about 5,000 buildings in Abilene must be inspected each year.
While performing the inspection, Goettsch said, firefighters would note the location of doors and windows, as well as the placement of hazardous materials. They would also mark important features like the placement of electrical and sprinkler connections.
This information would be compiled on a typewritten sheet that would be photocopied for each fire company.
Now, using the iPad, fire crews will be able to load a detailed map or schematic diagram of a building and make notes directly on the image.
They'll also be able to take photos, record videos and dictate voice memos - different ways of making lifesaving information available instantly.
Goettsch said it's like the difference between getting a printed list of driving directions and a full-color Google map showing the route in detail.
"Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words," he said.
Being able to plot dangerous chemicals or potential hazards directly on a building diagram will save time, Goettsch said, which is important when seconds or minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The addition of photos, videos and notes drawn directly on building layouts means the pre-fire plans will be more detailed and thorough.
"Being in a building when it's not under fire conditions can be night and day compared to when it's on fire," he said. "Smoke and flames can be disorienting, and when you're wearing all your bunker gear and protective masks, distances can appear to change."
Imagine, he said, entering a hotel lobby that's filled with smoke, obscuring the door to the stairwells. Instead of having to scan down a list of typed notes, the battalion chief or incident commander can bring up the pre-fire plan information in their command vehicle.
They can also quickly pull up a 360-degree photo of the room. They can relay that information to the firefighters immediately.
"This technology will allow us to get between the fire and the people we're trying to protect more quickly," Goettsch said.
The new iPad option ties directly into the current fire information and dispatch systems, he said. As soon as a fire engine or truck is dispatched on a call, the call sheet is sent to an onboard computer.
As soon as the address field is populated on the call sheet, the computer will be able to access the pre-fire plan, providing fire crews with the vital information en route to a fire or emergency.
"With this, our crews can arrive at a scene and already have a lot of information about what they'll be facing inside, before they ever make entry," he said.
Among the firefighters who have tried the new technology, Goettsch said the devices have proved to be simple to understand. They're also fun to use.
"There's definitely a cool factor to using the iPad," he said.
Eventually, as many as 15 iPads will be purchased by the department, to be handed out to administrators and each of the 11 fire companies scattered throughout the city.
"One other benefit is that we're handling most of this in-house. We're not having to pay someone extra to come set this up. The iPads themselves and the software is fairly inexpensive (compared to other options on the market)," Goettsch said.
Goettsch said he hopes the pre-fire planning program will be operational by midsummer.
Eventually, he said, the department will incorporate the use of iPads into its normal reporting procedures.
"When our investigators go out to a scene, they'll be able to fill out the fire report on the iPad, and sync it with our servers at headquarters, instead of having to drive back and type up the reports afterward," he said.
"Or our inspectors will be able to go out and complete an inspection, beam the report to a wireless printer in their vehicle, and leave a copy with the business owner right then," he said.
"Overall, this will help keep our guys safer, keep the public safer, and save residents of Abilene some money on their insurance," Goettsch said. "It really is a win-win."
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