Page last updated on November 27, 2023 at 1:32 pm
For more information, please contact
Tania Daffron, Assistant Chief of Administration, Bloomington Fire Department
daffrota@bloomington.in.gov
THE CHALLENGE
Bloomington’s Firefighters are always on the move. On any given week, crews are responding to calls, going through training, moving between stations, or coordinating their ever-changing schedules. With that much “organized chaos,” it can be difficult for all employees to be on the same page day-to-day. This communication gap had been causing kinks in the ability for BFD staff to effectively communicate non-emergent information with one another.
“We were experiencing gaps in the flow of information, and this lack of communication resulted in a big game of ‘telephone.’ - Assistant Chief Tania Daffron
Bloomington Fire Department needed a better way to keep track of important updates regarding scheduling, trainings, inclement weather, and average run times. How could technology help firefighters stay organized and up-to-date in a way that doesn’t further complicate their busy schedules?
THE IDEA
After seeing how other fire departments manage the flow of information to staff, Chief Moore decided that each fire station should have an interactive dashboard that displays all the information firefighters must know while starting their shifts.
The “first arrivals” dashboard in each fire station has two purposes. First, the dashboard transitions between non-emergent information: how to update CPR credentials, turnout times for the previous month, weather conditions for that day, and major events taking place in town. Second, in the event of an emergency, the screen is interrupted to display information about that event so that firefighters can immediately respond.
THE COST
In the first year, total costs to purchase and set up the system equaled $3,785.00. This year, total costs for maintaining the current system totaled $4,319.00.
THE BENEFITS
Since implementing first arrival dashboards in BFD stations, the results have demonstrated major improvement. Firefighters are more aware of matters arising and have better information to plan their shift. Additionally, firefighters are benefiting from better time management, improved accountability, and less complaints resulting from communication gaps. Overall, the dashboards help firefighters start their day off on the right foot.
“We all like to know ahead of time what the day will bring; how routines will change, what the weather will be like, and little nudges like when someone needs to renew their driver's license.”
METADATA
City Department(s): Bloomington Fire Department
City Point of Contact: Chief Jason Moore
Partner(s): N/A
Partner(s) Point(s) of Contact: N/A
Date Implemented: August 2022
Type of innovation: Equipment/Mechanical