Strategy #41
Emergency Vehicle Coordination
and Response
Use of technology to improve and maximize the operations and efficiency
of emergency
vehicle coordination and response.
Background
Technology is now advancing that will improve emergency vehicle response coordination and vehicle control. During an emergency, information and control systems are advantageous to the emergency vehicle operator and individuals coordinating the emergency response.
Actions
- Consider installing touch screens and/or voice activated equipment in emergency response vehicles and at respective communications centers.
- Examine the use of automatic vehicle locators (AVL) on emergency response vehicles.
- Consider using audio vehicle navigation systems in emergency response vehicles to provide directions to incidents.
- Explore computer aided dispatch technology.
Benefits
- Reduced emergency vehicle collisions.
- Expedites and assists with the emergency response process.
- Improve emergency vehicle response time and driver safety.
- Increase public safety.
- Improve communication between driver and dispatch.
- Excellent public relations aspect.
- Allows communication centers (dispatch) to monitor emergency vehicles.
- Assists dispatchers in determining which emergency vehicle is the most appropriate to dispatch to an incident.
- Assists dispatchers in providing navigational information to emergency responders.
Other Considerations
- When technology is introduced, internal policies and procedures should be examined to ensure that they are current and compatible with the agency mission.
- They should interface with allied agencies as appropriate.
- Possible labor/management issues with AVL technology.
- Cost of the technology
- Increased skills, expertise and training for personnel to support and operate.
- Accuracy and reliability of technology.
- Potential increase in support staff requirements, which may cause a reduction in existing personnel levels.
- Inter-connectivity with other systems and privacy issues of shared systems.