Topic

An "information gap" (availability and suitability of information on which to base an incident assessment of risk) is lacking. This paper will address the need for information collection, retrieval, and communications during incident management as it impacts procedural, technical, and institutional biases.

This presentation will provide an overview of current operations and changes planned in dispatch and command operations in the British Fire Service. Topics covered will include a review of current operations and planned arrangements for Graphical Information Systems, Automatic Vehicle Location Systems, Mobile Data Terminals, Vehicle Telemetry, GPRS Equipped Mobile Phones, Data Transfer and Cross Border Call Handling (overflow arrangements) Mobilizing Arrangements facilitated by Common Protocol (GD92).

The number of emergency "119" (911) calls received by the Tokyo Fire Department is over 1,000,000-that's 1 Million with a Big M-annually! How does a communications center keep up with that volume of communications traffic? Find out, as Chief Kojima shows the inside workings of a mega Comm Center and how it can also apply to one-person dispatcher operations.

Chief Broemme will present an overview of both communications and command and control procedures used in emergency services in Germany. This promises to be a fascinating and informative presentation from the chief of one of the most dynamic world cities.

Several initiatives are currently underway to help improve communications between federal, state, and local emergency responders statewide. This paper will identify some key "lessons learned" from these efforts-using survey results, original research, and case studies drawn from Virginia's experience at the Pentagon and during the 2002 sniper shootings. Human factors, engineering, the policy process, and organizational behavior are all identified as important aspects of the interoperability puzzle.

Wireless interoperability, particularly private and public wireless networks, can be effectively joined to provide better coverage and a richer feature-set for public safety users. Nextel's iDEN will be integrated with the public sector's radios, pagers, and more in a single system, and Forbes will tell us how that helps everyone on the emergency incident scene.

Communications technology will soon provide greater capabilities-position location, bio-monitoring, virtual displays. This show and tell presentation will also ask for audience feedback on what they want in the way of equipment and software to work more efficiently on the fireground.

A GIS system that incorporates preplans and building diagrams as well as haz mat decision aids. It is used with a pocket PC and Palm OS. This show and tell presentation will be of interest to large and small organizations.

The US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Research, Development and Engineering Center (RDEC) will present a speaker and exhibit showing command and control and other technologies (communications and sensors) in an integrated capability set for first responders.

Wireless mobile workstations in the form of wireless laptop computers equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System), AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location), and a fully integrated CAD (Computer Assisted Dispatch) system will be shown and discussed.

A newly developed tracking/locator system, similar to a PASS, using ultrasound will be presented and exhibited. The device can located downed firefighters and then use a different wave length to navigate the direction to a safe exit.

This paper will examine the use of vehicular technology to provide reliable in-building communications and enhanced interoperability at the emergency scene and will consider their integration with the Incident Command System. No specific brand names, models or operational protocols will be espoused.

The use of CRM concepts, developed by the airline industry, can be effectively used by the fire service to improve command and control at all emergency incidents, to minimize risk and to improve firefighter safety.