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Why Fire Departments Need Modern Technology 

In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, fire departments can’t afford to rely on outdated systems. Many still use traditional communication methods, such as radio dispatch and manual paper-based records.

While these systems have served well in the past, they often fall short in today’s fast-paced emergency situations, where immediate access to real-time information is critical.

With outdated systems, fire departments face several risks:

• Delayed Information: Slow updates can lead to miscommunication and longer response times.
• Limited Situational Awareness: Incomplete information about the scene or conditions on the ground can put both firefighters and civilians in danger.
• Inefficient Coordination: Without proper coordination between units, valuable resources might be misallocated or response efforts delayed.

That’s where StreetWise steps in. By using StreetWise's suite of products, fire departments can harness real-time data, instant updates, and seamless coordination, eliminating the uncertainties that often accompany fire response efforts.

What Makes StreetWise® Stand Out From Other Incident Management Platforms?

StreetWise offers fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) software that is built explicitly for them. Unlike other platforms that are adapted from law enforcement software or smartphone apps for on-call responders,

StreetWise’s solutions are tailor-made to meet the unique needs of fire and EMS operations. This means more precision, more efficiency, and, most importantly, better safety for both responders and the communities they serve.

1. CADlink: The Powerhouse Behind Effective Fire Response

The heart of StreetWise’s software suite is CADlink. Fire departments often find themselves working with software that is either too generic or too limited to meet their specific needs. CADlink changes that by offering a full-featured, cloud-based mobile solution that is designed specifically for fire and EMS apparatus.

CADlink is not just a tool—it’s a game-changer. Here’s what it brings to the table:

• Instant Call Updates: Receive call updates in real-time, ensuring that your crew is always in the loop about the situation at hand.
• Live AVL/Vehicle Tracking: With Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) tracking, dispatchers and command centers can monitor the exact location of every responding unit, helping to optimize resource allocation.
• Detailed Pre-Incident Planning: CADlink allows for the creation, management, and display of pre-incident plans, following the NFPA 1620 guidelines. Responders can access critical information about the building layout, fire protection systems, and hazards even before they arrive on the scene.
• Hydrant Location Display: Locating and using hydrants is often one of the first tasks upon arriving at a fire. CADlink makes this easier by showing nearby hydrants and their attributes, helping crews get water where it’s needed faster.
• Incident Photo Sharing: Situational awareness is key in any emergency. With incident photo sharing, fire crews can share images of the scene in real time, ensuring that everyone has a complete picture of the evolving situation.
• Tactical Command and Control: During an emergency, command teams need all the tools they can get to coordinate their response. CADlink provides incident-specific tactical command functions to help fire departments manage resources effectively.

These features, along with two-way CAD integration for status changes and dispatcher updates, make CADlink an indispensable tool for modern fire departments.

2. Responder for Smartphones: Extending the Power of StreetWise

While CADlink is the heart of StreetWise’s software suite, Responder for Smartphones extends its functionality to volunteer and off-duty firefighters. Often, these individuals are a critical part of a department’s operations, and they need reliable tools to stay informed and connected.

Responder focuses on the features that on-call and volunteer responders genuinely need:

• Real-Time Location Sharing: Firefighters can engage in location tracking, showing other responders and dispatch where they are at all times. This allows for better coordination and situational awareness.
• One-Touch Status Updates: Firefighters can easily update their status with a single touch, allowing everyone to know who is responding, where they are, and what they’re doing.
• Seamless Integration with CADlink: Responder works hand-in-hand with CADlink, ensuring that whether you’re in a fire truck or responding from home, everyone has access to the same critical information.

Responder also allows for regional data sharing, ensuring that all units from different departments are working together seamlessly during mutual aid responses. Whether you’re in a small town with volunteer firefighters or a large city with a career fire department, Responder helps you stay connected, informed, and ready to respond.

3. SmartBoards: The Command Center for the Firehouse

In the firehouse, efficiency is key. StreetWise Station SmartBoards provides a centralized system that keeps everyone in the station informed and aware of the latest updates. These large display boards provide visual and audible alerts, daily information dashboards, and even maps showing recent calls and unit locations.

Benefits of SmartBoards include:

• Real-Time Alerts: Firefighters in the station can quickly see what’s happening, including the location of incidents, units responding, and even weather conditions that could affect the emergency.
• Station Activity Overview: SmartBoards provide a comprehensive view of the department’s activities, announcements, schedules, and more.
• Fully Integrated with StreetWise Suite: SmartBoards work in conjunction with other StreetWise products, making it easy to transition from in-station monitoring to on-the-road response.

SmartBoards ensure that your firehouse runs smoothly and that every firefighter is kept up-to-date, even before they reach the scene of the fire.

4. Digital Dispatch: A Fast, Reliable Visual Cue

When the alarm sounds, every second counts. StreetWise Digital Dispatch is designed to speed up the firehouse’s response by providing bright LED displays that deliver vital information in real time. Placed in critical locations around the firehouse, like hallways and apparatus bays, Digital Dispatch boards offer:

• Large, Bright Displays: Easily visible from a distance, the displays show critical call information, including address, units assigned, and radio channels.
• Chute Timer: The integrated chute timer shows how much time has passed since the alarm sounded, helping teams stay aware of their response times.
• Lightweight and Customizable: At just 15 lbs., the boards are easy to mount in high-traffic areas. They can also be customized to display the information most important to your department.

Digital Dispatch boards streamline the process of getting firefighters to their apparatus, ensuring that response times are as short as possible.

The Importance of Data Sharing for Mutual Aid

One of the most valuable aspects of StreetWise’s software suite is the emphasis on data sharing, particularly for departments that frequently work with neighboring units or offer mutual aid. During a fire, coordination between departments is critical, and without the right tools in place, this can be chaotic.

With StreetWise, units from different departments can share preplans, hydrant locations, unit locations, and incident updates in real time. This ensures that all responding units, regardless of where they are coming from, have access to the same essential information.

Benefits of Regional Data Sharing

• Improved Coordination: By sharing vital information like unit locations and preplans, departments can coordinate more effectively, ensuring that the right resources are deployed at the right time.
• Enhanced Mutual Aid: StreetWise’s unique approach to regional data sharing means that departments offering mutual aid can be seamlessly integrated into your response efforts.
• Greater Situational Awareness: Every unit responding to an emergency can see the same real-time updates, which leads to faster, more informed decision-making.

This kind of data sharing is crucial not only during the response phase but also during pre-incident planning, ensuring that departments are prepared for any situation they may encounter.

Making Fire More Manageable: A Unified Approach to Data

StreetWise is more than just software—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to make fire response smoother, faster, and less stressful. By integrating the key elements of fire service—communication, coordination, navigation, and planning—StreetWise removes the guesswork from emergency situations.

This unified approach ensures that every responder has the information they need right when they need it. Here’s a quick recap of how StreetWise helps fire departments conquer the challenges of fire response:

• Real-Time Updates: Whether it's updates from dispatch or shared photos of the scene, real-time information keeps everyone informed.
• Pre-Incident Planning: Pre-plan and be prepared before arriving at a scene. CADlink stores and presents all the critical information about buildings and hazards, reducing uncertainty.
• Seamless Communication: Responder, CADlink, SmartBoards, and Digital Dispatch all work together to ensure that responders, command centers, and dispatchers are on the same page at every stage of the emergency.

Why Choose StreetWise for Your Department?

StreetWise is more than just a suite of products—it’s a solution built specifically to meet the needs of fire and EMS departments. With features tailored to the unique challenges that firefighters face, StreetWise goes beyond generic software to offer something genuinely specialized.

• Built by Firefighters for Firefighters: Our software was designed with input from fire professionals who know the job firsthand.
• End-to-End Solutions: From pre-incident planning to live updates, our products work together to provide complete coverage for every aspect of fire response.
• Tailored to Your Department: We know that every department has different needs. That’s why our products can be customized to fit your specific requirements.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re ready to take your fire department’s operations to the next level, contact StreetWise today. Our team is here to help you find the right solutions for your department’s needs, ensuring faster response times, improved coordination, and better safety for everyone involved.