FD 1 DEPLOYS NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR SAFETY, ACCOUNTABILITY

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

                St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 today began deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) units to assist in firefighter safety and accountability, becoming the first agency in the state to utilize this technology.

                Beginning today, each firefighter’s gear will contain an RFID chip.  When a crew is dispatched to a fire scene, the on-scene chief will be able to make computerized assignments and track movements of each firefighter.  If the crew supervisors lose contact with a firefighter on a scene or if an accident occurs, the computer will be able to identify which firefighters are missing and monitor deployment of other personnel, how they are affected or, what actions or reassignments need to be taken to respond appropriately. 

                In addition, because the computerized system will track assignments of individual firefighters, chiefs can monitor each unit’s responsibilities and hold them accountable for completion of assigned duties.

                The technology involved is not new, in fact dating to pre-WWII.  It is only recently finding its way into public safety agencies and programming.  About 200 units will be deployed, at a cost of about $55,000. 

In the interest of rapid deployment the chips are being programmed with only basic information about each firefighter. In time, each chip will contain each firefighter’s medical information, training certifications, and other vital information. That data will be accessible by chiefs on the scene through the computer system.  Additionally, as other fire departments come online with the system, interoperability will be automatic; an RFID-equipped firefighter from a neighboring district responding to an incident in Fire District 1, for example, would have his or her information automatically accessible by the computer.

                “The application of technology in public safety is a constantly evolving segment of our service,” said Fire Chief Larry Hess.  “That we can take decades-old technology and use it to better protect and serve our citizens – while protecting and serving our personnel, as well. Taking Fire District 1 to the next level in firefighter safety programs is well worth the cost. We are proud to be the first fire department in Louisiana to take deployment of firefighter safety and accountability technology to this level.”

                The RFID products, called “Safe Scene,” are produced by the Michigan-based Azure Wireless.  More information is available at www.safescene.us.  For more information about Fire District 1, visit www.stfpd1.org.