I’ll never forget the call.
It was just after 3 a.m., and the station was quiet—until the tones dropped. The dispatcher’s voice cut through the air: “Structure fire, confirmed entrapment.” In that moment, every second felt like it weighed a pound. I could practically hear the clock ticking in my head.
When you work in fire and EMS, you learn quickly that time isn’t just money—it’s life. A few minutes can mean the difference between a save and a loss. But over the years, I’ve also learned something else: the right technology can shave those precious minutes down at every stage of the response.
This is the story of how we’ve turned minutes into seconds and seconds into better outcomes.
Stage One: From Call to Dispatch
Back in the early days, getting dispatched could feel painfully slow. Calls came in, details were scribbled down, and sometimes information was incomplete by the time we were rolling. I remember more than one time when we’d arrive on scene only to find the address slightly off or critical details missing.
Now, thanks to systems like EPR FireWorks’ Unified RMS, that first link in the chain is faster and sharper.
When the call comes in, the dispatcher inputs the data, and within seconds, every unit sees the incident appear on their devices—fully synced and updated in real time. We know the exact location, cross streets, hydrant locations, and even the building’s last inspection violations before the rig is in gear. No more calling back for clarifications. No more guesswork.
The difference? We’ve measured dispatch-to-enroute times dropping by as much as 30–45 seconds. It might not sound like much, but in an emergency, that’s the kind of time that changes outcomes.
Stage Two: Navigation Without the Guesswork
There’s an art to getting to the scene quickly without taking unnecessary risks. Before integrated mapping, we relied on memory, paper maps, or GPS units that weren’t updated often enough to keep up with construction and street changes.
These days, we roll out with Esri-integrated mapping directly inside our RMS platform. It’s not just a map—it’s live, accurate routing that accounts for road closures, traffic, and the best hydrant positions once we arrive.
I’ve been on calls where this alone shaved off one to two minutes from our response time compared to using generic GPS. Multiply that over hundreds of calls a year, and you start to realize how much faster we’re putting boots on the ground where they’re needed.
And it’s not just about speed—it’s about precision. There’s a big difference between pulling up to the front of a building and having to reposition your apparatus versus arriving exactly where you need to be on the first try.
Stage Three: Real-Time Information on the Move
In the past, once you left the station, you worked with whatever information you had. If something changed on the way, you often didn’t find out until you arrived—and that could mean precious seconds lost adapting to new conditions.
With EPR FireWorks’ real-time data sharing, that’s changed completely. Now, if dispatch gets an update—like a report of hazardous materials on scene—it pops up on our tablets instantly.
We can also see pre-plan data that tells us where utility shut-offs are, whether the site has a Knox Box, and even the building’s floor plans. It’s like having a crystal ball that shows you what you’re about to walk into.
One of our crews recently responded to a manufacturing facility fire. On the way, we got a real-time note about the chemical storage area’s location. When they arrived, they knew exactly which side to approach from, avoiding a dangerous exposure. That was a zero-second delay in making the right tactical call because the data was already in hand.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
We’ve tracked our own response improvements since implementing these technologies, and the results are clear:
- Dispatch processing time: Reduced by an average of 40 seconds.
- Navigation to scene: Improved by up to 2 minutes with optimized routing.
- On-scene readiness: Crews are operational within 30 seconds of arrival because they’ve already reviewed key details en route.
Add it all together, and we’re saving an average of 3 minutes or more per call in high-priority incidents. In our world, that’s not just an improvement—it’s life-saving potential.
Making It Happen: Practical Steps for Implementation
If you’re looking to bring these kinds of gains to your own department, here’s what I’ve learned from our journey:
- Start with Integration, Not Just Tools
You don’t just need a navigation app or a reporting system—you need a platform that ties it all together. The magic happens when dispatch, mapping, pre-plans, and reporting speak the same language. - Leverage NERIS V1 Compatibility
Compliance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about ensuring your data flows where it needs to, when it needs to. Our RMS’s official NERIS V1 compatibility means we’re future-proofed as national systems evolve. - Make Data Prep Part of Your Culture
The fastest tech in the world won’t help if your pre-plan data is outdated. Keep inspections current, update hydrant maps, and review building information regularly. - Train for Speed and Accuracy
Technology is a tool—its value depends on how well your crews use it. Regular drills that include using mobile data en route will make response speed second nature. - Choose a Partner Who Has Your Back
We didn’t just buy software; we partnered with a team. EPR FireWorks’ customer support has been there for every question, every customization, and every “what if.” That support is part of why we’ve been able to see results so quickly.
Why It Matters
When I think about that 3 a.m. call now, I realize we’ve come a long way. Today, the second the tones drop, the information is already moving toward us. We’re rolling sooner, navigating smarter, and arriving better prepared.
And when we step off the rig, those three minutes we’ve saved aren’t just numbers—they’re the moments that let us pull someone from a burning room before the fire flashes over, or get a patient into the ambulance before cardiac arrest turns irreversible.
That’s the thing about technology in emergency response—it’s not about gadgets or dashboards. It’s about giving you back the most valuable thing in the world: time.
Three minutes might not change much in an office or a boardroom. But on the side of a highway, in a smoke-filled home, or outside a school with kids waiting to be evacuated, those minutes are everything. And thanks to the right tools, we’re getting them back—one call at a time.
