Technology plays a critical role in helping our firefighters and paramedics safely reduce the severity of emergency incidents. Some of the technology utilized by TVF&R includes thermal imagers, cardiac defibrillators, mobile data terminals, and specialized software to analyze our response times and deployment strategies.

 

Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) with electronic maps and preplans are in each of our emergency response vehicles. This sophisticated tool provides firefighters with the quickest route to an incident, as well as custom, detailed floor, and site plans of commercial buildings, schools, apartment complexes, condominiums, churches, high-rise buildings, and hazardous materials locations.

 

 

 

Information maintained in the system includes:

• Occupancy Type (assembly, business, educational, institution, mercantile, etc.)
• Fire Protection Systems
• Alternate Water Source
• Building Construction
• Roof Construction, Material, Type
• Exterior Wall Construction
• Utility Location
• Alarm Panel
• Hydrant Location

Developed by Mapping Solutions Inc., this system is one of the most advanced mapping and planning systems used anywhere in the country and was possible thanks to voter approval of a local option levy in November 2004.

TVF&R MDTs in the news (5.4 MB) - Courtesy of Fox 12 News

MDTs not only improve the efficiency of our responders, but also increases the safety of all persons involved.  Historically, firefighters have had to rely on an antiquated system of hand-drawn and rudimentary computer- rendered maps.  These maps were housed in a loose-leaf notebook and firefighters would literally 'thumb-through" the notebook while driving Code 3 to a destination.

With preloaded electronic maps and touch-screen monitors, emergency responders can access maps within seconds. In addition, these maps contain important details about commercial structures including floor plans, fire resistance rating of roofs and walls, on-site dangerous or explosive chemicals, hydrant locations, exits, utility turn-offs, and after-hour business contacts.

Another asset of the system is the ability to store photographs, video clips, and aerial maps of a building.  This is extremely beneficial to firefighters as they attempt to locate a victim and/or extinguish a fire in a dark, large and unfamiliar structure.

Unlike previous hand-drawn or computer-rendered maps, the new electronic maps utilize a consistent design template (layout, symbols, etc.).  This standardized template enables emergency responders to make quick tactical decisions and identify obstacles.

Examples:

• Old Map
• New Mapping Software
• New Preplan Software

Having detailed information about your business enables firefighters to quickly mitigate your emergency.  Knowledge of building layout can help firefighters move efficiently through dark and unfamiliar corridors to extinguish a fire, rescue and treat a patient, or stop the release of dangerous chemicals.

With utility shutoff details at their fingertips, emergency responders can quickly turn off water systems, which reduce water damage and restoration costs.

There are approximately 4,000 businesses and commercial properties within TVF&R's service area that will be contacted about their participation in this program. We have contracted with Mapping Solutions, Inc. to gather preplan information on each site. All compiled preplan information is for emergency responder use only, and will not be released to the general public.

It is our goal to minimize the impact on our business partners.  Letters explaining the process and desired information for our database will be sent to businesses over the next six months. To expedite the process and/or possibly eliminate the need for an onsite visit from Mapping Solutions, Inc., businesses can forward any blueprint or site-plan information of their facility directly to Mapping Solutions, Inc. via email.

Participation in the program is not mandatory. However, it is our hope that businesses and commercial properties will see that this basic fire safety information is not only a benefit to themselves, it is also a benefit to their employees, tenants, and local firefighters.

Preplan information is for emergency responder use only, and will not be released to the general public. We have contracted with Mapping Solutions, Inc. to gather preplan information for each site. Mapping Solutions, Inc. is a private company based in Oregon City that has provided service to the telecommunications and emergency services industry (9-1-1, ambulance, police and fire) for 24 years.

Updates to the MDTs via the main database are built for close-range transmissions only and encrypted for optimum security.

Providing accurate up-to-date maps in both electronic and printed forms is critical to our emergency response. The community we serve is constantly growing and changing. The Fire District utilizes the latest in GIS technology to insure that our emergency responders have access to accurate navigational resources. In addition, our GIS personnel work collaboratively with our Data Analyst in using GIS technology to prepare and present data information in geographic views that have become a necessity in planning all of the services we provide to all of the communities we serve.