News

 

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has again partnered with ElanTech to gather critical data from the first response emergency personnel nationwide. The two organizations have joined to offer a second online survey. The data collected will influence the design of an advanced new incident command software application in development by ElanTech for the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

 

In the aftermath of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event, the new Incident Management & Decision Support System (IMDSS) will provide on-site incident commanders with the real-time, dynamic data they need to coordinate the efforts of first responders. It will also aggregate access to 911 calls, maps, traffic, weather, resource availability, and other critical logistical information. IMDSS will be a web-based geointelligence application featuring a dynamic operating picture overlaid on imagery and maps of the affected area.

 

Input from emergency personnel will be critical to ensuring that the IMDSS meets the real-world needs of first responders.

 

The NVFC urges emergency personnel at all levels, including emergency managers, firefighters, paramedics, and police, to take the short online survey at http://www.imdssonline.com

 

“This new system will offer unprecedented command and control capabilities for first responders, and having input from day one will ensure ElanTech designs the features most valuable to users on the ground,” said Heather Schafer, NVFC Executive Director. “We urge the fire and emergency services to take a few minutes to contribute to this valuable Homeland Security project.”

 

In addition to providing valuable feedback for this important new tool, survey participants providing complete entries will be entered in a drawing to win a $200 Visa gift card. The previous survey winner was Donald Batteas of the Lake Brownwood Volunteer Fire Department in Brownwood, TX.

 

For more information on the survey or the IMDSS, contact Paul Seabury at Paul.Seabury@elantech-inc.com or 301-486-0600 x116.

 

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

 

ElanTech (www.elantech-inc.com) is a government prime contractor specializing in software engineering and development of geointelligence solutions for commercial and government clients.