The Klein Volunteer Fire Department has implemented software and hardware to provide fire trucks with mobile access to emergency data and up to date area maps when responding to an event. The new capabilities assist in decision support, enhances situational awareness, and improves response times using highly accurate incident data.

One of the primary challenges for the fire service is responding to fires and deploying quickly to reduce loss of life and property damage. The new system came in response to a rapidly growing infrastructure and subdivision expansions in North Harris County that stressed the traditional methods of responding to an incident. The system provides the first responders with critical information before they leave the station and plots their progress as they respond to the incident. Once the fire truck has arrived on the scene the system provides access to Pre-Plan information and the fire incident reporting system (TEXFERS). The heavy rescue trucks have additional critical information on motor vehicle design to allow the responder to operate more effectively and safely.

The new system takes advantage of software developed by Mapping Solutions Inc. using Integrated Geographic Information (GIS) which is an open standard based technology used by Harris County agencies. Data on parcels, buildings, fire hydrants, fire department connections, hazardous materials and more is available in the mobile computers. The address of the incident is entered into the computer on the truck. A GPS signal is fed into the software and the location of the incident and the responding apparatus is displayed on the map. As the responding vehicle approaches the address the map scale automatically zooms in bring more detail on to the screen while continuously showing the truck location relative to the incident location. The fire trucks can approach and arrive at the address without the need to read street signs.

The computers installed on the apparatus are built for emergency responders by Data 911 Inc. and are designed to operate over a wide range of temperatures, humidity and vibration conditions. Most human interface with the computer is through a Touch Screen system.

The new system is a better way managing street map data. It can be updated up to four times per year with new street and parcel data obtained form the Harris County Appraisal District, Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC) and the electric company which assigns address to all new buildings in the County. The proprietary street map system which the new software is replacing was only up-dated once per year was further behind areas with new construction and streets.

The system has the resources to add additional information management tools. It will continue to be extended to include more data to improve the public safety preparedness and response in the area served by the Klein Volunteer Fire Department. www.kleinfiredept.com