LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock Fire Rescue has invested in a new incident command system designed to give commanders a better view of what’s happening on scene and help coordinate resources more effectively.
The system, utilizing Tablet Command, allows incident commanders to track crews and resources in real time instead of relying on whiteboards and handwritten notes.
Impact of new system
Derek Delgado with Lubbock Fire Rescue said the system will improve operations between all crews responding to future incidents.
“It ties directly into our dispatch system, so all of the call notes our dispatchers are putting in, we are seeing those live, so as they are getting more information maybe on the nature of the call, maybe a change of address, the change of call type, our crews are seeing it live in real time,” Delgado said.
Delgado said one of the most important parts of the new system is the ability to see where crews are operating, helping keep firefighters safe and accounted for.
“We are able to see who is on every single apparatus, within the city, so it allows, as a safety standpoint from an incident commander for us to truly have an updated and actual personal accountability system,” Delgado said.
Effect on emergency response
Delgado said the system saves time during emergency response.
“It is making sure that we are serving our citizens quicker, this is taking away seconds from in comparison what it would take before,” Delgado said. “And in fires, in residential structure fires and commercial structure fires, seconds do matter.”
Delgado said the goal is better information, communication and a stronger emergency response when residents need it most.
“Our department is growing in stations in personnel, our city is growing, with that again, looking at the different types of fires we are going to, at the very end of the day this system is helping our department be more innovative, be more effective, be more efficient, but at the very end of the day we are keeping our personnel safe and the citizens of Lubbock safe,” Delgado said.
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