Vancouver—The transition of all 12 fire departments dispatched by E-Comm 9-1-1 to a new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system was completed today.
The new dispatch system (Intergraph CAD) provides even more information to fire dispatchers including enhanced street maps, floor plans, hydrant locations and water pressure ratings, and an enhanced hazards and chemical storage database. The system also provides the location of lower mainland fire apparatus through GPS, which will help dispatchers manage events even more effectively.
In addition, halls in New Westminster, Vancouver, Richmond, Delta and Port Moody, will also be using a new “fire-hall alerting system” that streamlines the dispatch process by interfacing with the CAD. This interface cuts the number of steps a dispatcher needs to undertake in order to dispatch apparatus by more than half, saving valuable time. Dispatchers, who maintain control of the event at all times, including ongoing communication with firefighters en route and on scene over the radio, will no longer have to queue dispatches if more than one dispatch must be delivered at the same time. They also won’t have to wait for a break in radio traffic to do so. The initial “dispatch alerts,” which detail location information, call type and response level, will be broadcast in an automated, consistent, computerized voice, which provides increased recognition by fire crews.
For firefighters on the Sunshine Coast, this transition also means that for the first time, they will receive printed information in the fire hall they can take with them at the same time they receive the voice alert. The printout will show the location of the event, any hazards or history at that location, and what other apparatus are responding.
Departments on new Intergraph CAD System:
- Vancouver
- Richmond
- New Westminster
- Delta
- Port Moody
- Sunshine Coast (5 departments)
- Squamish
- Whistler
Departments using new Locution Fire-Hall Alerting System:
- Vancouver
- Richmond
- New Westminster
- Delta
- Port Moody
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Media Contact:
Jody Robertson
Director of Corporate Communications
604-215-4956