As a fire department, having detailed pre plans of buildings in your community is critical for responding quickly and effectively to emergencies. More and more departments are using specialized fire department pre plan software to create digital pre plans and make key data easily accessible to firefighters. But you may have questions about how these systems work and if they are worth investing in. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about pre plan software for fire departments.
What Information is Typically Included in Pre Plans?
Pre plans created with software contain layered maps and images of the interior and exterior of a building. They also include critical details like utility shut-offs, hazardous materials, Knox box locations, and floor plans showing exits, extinguishers, and more. Having mobile access to these visual pre plans saves time on-scene. Some software also lets you attach SDS sheets, photos, virtual tours, owner contacts, operational details, inspection notes, and other documents directly to each plan. This centralizes all the intelligence firefighters need to respond strategically.
How is the Information Gathered for Pre Plans?
There are a few methods for collecting data to build pre plans:
Departments can send crews to businesses and buildings to assess them in person for pre planning. This hands-on approach provides the most detailed intelligence.
Some software partners with security companies or drone operators to capture video walk throughs of facilities to create virtual pre plans.
Public GIS data, satellite maps, and existing floor plans can also be integrated to build a basic pre plan foundation.
No matter how they are originally created, pre plans should be regularly updated by firefighters through ongoing inspections and incident debriefs. Software makes this easy.
Who Has Access to the Pre Plan Software System?
Fire department pre plan software is housed securely online or in the cloud so that all firefighters in a department can access the plans from any internet-connected device. This allows truck crews en route to an emergency to pull up pre plans on mobile tablets. Battalion chiefs and other command staff also benefit from real-time access. Many systems integrate with records management software or CAD, so dispatchers can immediately direct responders to the right pre plan when an incident is reported. Some even allow public safety partners like law enforcement to view approved plans if necessary.
What Training is Involved for Using Pre Plan Software?
Quality software is designed to be user-friendly for firefighters without extensive training required. There are often short video tutorials available online to overview the features. Hands-on practice as a department exploring sample plans in the system helps crews get comfortable. Some vendors provide onboarding support and continued training as needed. You want software with intuitive interfaces, so your personnel can quickly utilize the intelligence in high-pressure situations.
Does the Software Integrate with Other Fire Systems?
The best fire department pre plan software integrates with other solutions you already use to maximize efficiency. This includes:
- Records management software
- Computer-aided dispatch (CAD)
- Mobile data terminals in apparatus
- Tablets, smartphones, and devices on scene
- GIS mapping programs
- Automatic vehicle location (AVL)
- Accountability board tracking
Tight integration means pre plans are at firefighters’ fingertips whenever they get a call. It also keeps all your fire department’s technological ecosystem connected.
Can Pre Plans be Accessed Without Internet in the Field?
Fire inspection software is typically cloud-based, but firefighters can still access pre plans when internet connectivity is limited. For example, plans and building data can be cached locally, so trucks can access them while offline. Many solutions also offer an offline mode to sync updated pre plans from the field back to the cloud when the internet is restored. This ensures your crews have uninterrupted access to key intel during emergencies.
Investing in pre plan software revolutionizes how modern fire departments approach readiness and response. With the ability to pre plan facilities ahead of time and access plans on-scene from a mobile device, firefighters gain strategic advantages. They can arrive on day one fully prepared to protect any building in their communities. Pre planning and utilizing fire inspection software ultimately saves time, property, and lives.
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