The use of iPads/tablets is helping Fruitland Park Fire Rescue crews save valuable time out in the field and when responding to emergency calls.
“Time that could mean the difference between life and death,” said Fire Chief David Borst.
The iPads are less expensive and take up far less room in the fire apparatus cab than mobile data terminals (MDTs).
“We originally looked at MDTs, but the cost factor was out of our reach. In addition, iPads give fire officers and firefighters access to vital information more quickly and more accurately, also the pricing of the iPads and its applications is about 20 percent of the cost of the traditional mobile data terminals (MDTs),” he said. “That’s a considerable cost savings for the department, the city, and our tax payers.”
Two iPads, one for a fire engine and one for a brush wildland fire truck recently got outfitted.
Firefighters are one step ahead before even leaving the station. No need to lose valuable time
looking for an address or location in a map book, or requesting additional details from our dispatch center.
“Instead of us having to wait for dispatch to give us additional information, that information is
already downloaded to the iPad, before we leave the station.” said Lt. George Fernandez of Fruitland Park Fire Rescue.
Specialized applications installed on these iPads give FBFR firefighters immediate access to detailed information from specific address details to hazardous materials found on an emergency scene.
“Our information books are a couple inches thick with details on paper. All that’s in the iPads now and much more, it is so much easier and effective. We can review address information and at the same time, we can just type in a certain chemical name or the reference placard and that chemical information is retrieved in real time,” said Fernandez.
Fruitland Park Fire crews say safety is one of the areas that have improved the most since using the iPads. One of the main applications they are using is called Active911. The application was created and supported by an Oregon company of the same name. The application delivers alarm, incident and route information that is downloaded from our dispatch center. Active911’s mapping function tracks responders—both apparatus and personnel—in real time, as well as displaying the location of fire hydrants. In addition, clicking on map icons allows firefighters to access basic and detailed information and download additional details about a certain location.
