The
Lewiston, Maine, Fire Department is installing BIO-Key's PacketCluster Rescue software on computers in department staff cars and fire engines. With this new mobile software, the Lewiston Fire Department will be tightly integrated with the Lewiston Police Department's law enforcement records management solution, providing interoperable communication among all first responders.
Once fully deployed, firefighters responding to alarms will see dispatch information prominently displayed on their wireless laptop screens in their fire trucks, ensuring accuracy of the incident information and location. That same information is sent to their records system, automatically populating the appropriate fields in the incident report, saving time and improving efficiency. The contract includes upgrading their current fire records management system and integrating it with a new computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
In addition to receiving dispatch information wirelessly, Lewiston firefighters and incident command officers will now have real-time access to key information regarding occupancies, building structures and hazardous materials -- all to help mitigate risks and improve the safety of firefighters and the public.
"Adding BIO-key's mobile solution to the existing fire records management system will improve our efficiency and enhance firefighter and the public's safety," according to Assistant Chief Paul LeClair. "This new system will also help us to capture accurate response times on incidents in our community. Accurate information is the first step in assessing performance and ultimately improving our Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. And that means lower insurance rates for the citizens and businesses in Lewiston, Maine."
