Thinking of An Upgrade? Here’s Why You Should Update Your Fire Department RMS

Every second counts in an emergency, especially in fire rescue operations. Thus, reliable record management software is crucial to fire rescue operations. Also, your fire department already has a record management system, but you may need more insights. Having a standalone RMS may sometimes not be enough, which is why having an advanced RMS as an add-on offers many benefits. It can help you save more lives, and improve the efficiency of your fire department. Also, with changes cropping up concerning regulatory requirements and technology, only a few vendors respond to the changes with viable solutions, which is also why fire departments are looking for a change or replacing their existing RMS with a new solution.

Much has changed over the last decade regarding NEMSIS, NFIRS, and technology. Fire departments and the public want accurate, proper data access and instant reports; the expectation is that data must be able to flow seamlessly to and fro. Another factor is analytics and reporting, which offers a deeper look into what departments are doing, staff, incident type – its details and type, etc. Also, from the EMS side, it is essential to make sure that paramedics are considering the right amount of medication in ambulances and have a record of what is being used on a patient and their details.

Cloud computing has made it more accessible as a solution to the above, and record management software allows mobility of data inputs and outputs from anywhere, anytime. This means proper reporting, real-time tracking, delivering critical information to firefighters, field reports, inspections, patient care data, etc. RMS vendors, too, must keep up with the changing needs of the fire department.

Challenges of having an outdated Records Management System(RMS)

An outdated records management system(RMS) can be challenging for a fire department. Let us look at some of the challenges that the department faces.

  1. Improper Data Access: An outdated legacy system can be challenging, as it needs proper user interfaces to search or has slow responses, making it difficult for personnel and staff to access critical information during emergencies and routine operations.
  2. Data Loss Risk: Legacy systems are more susceptible to data loss, security vulnerabilities, or corruption, thus compromising records like incident reports, training logs, maintenance logs, etc.
  3. Compliance Issues: Fire departments must strictly comply with regulatory requirements. An outdated RMS may not support the latest regulations or industry standards, leading to non-compliance and potential fines.
  4. Higher Maintenance Costs: With time, fire departments must upgrade, as maintaining outdated record-keeping software can become expensive. It can strain budgets, limit resources, etc., which can be utilized better for training, equipment upgrades, or community outreach.
  5. Limited Integration: Integration is crucial for data sharing across departments and agencies. Outdated RMS may lack these capabilities, hindering collaboration and information exchange.
  6. Decreased Operational Efficiency: Unreliable RMS can slow responses and impact operations, leading to delayed response times, improper resource allocation, strategy planning, etc.


The above challenges must be addressed, which may require investing in a modern electronic document and records management system with real-time data access, secure cloud, mobile capabilities, and scalability to accommodate future growth.

5 Benefits of Replacing an RMS for the Fire Department

  1. Enhanced Data Accuracy and Analytics

    Incident reporting is an essential part of department operations. If the team is still struggling with timely and accurate data entry, then an RMS can help. This can make daily operations more accessible, which means better input data for a precise picture of operations. 

    Fire departments collect and analyze different types of data related to incidents, response times, and resource utilization. This data can be used for continuous improvement in operations and better resource allocation. Data analytics play a crucial role in evaluating and improving the strategies used by fire departments. The data can be used to forecast future rescue operation needs and make evidence-based decisions.

  2. Efficient Patient Care Reporting

    Older tools or an outdated RMS limit the services provided. RMS vendors must provide instant access to patient history. Only then can the fire department see in real-time if anyone has interacted with patients or those in emergencies. The right decisions can be made only when the team has all the necessary information. 

    Done and dusted are those days when paper handling of records was done in an emergency room. The most updated vendors now have electronic data transfer, done right on the mobile device of the doctor/paramedic, and can be imported into the hospital’s electronic medical record software. The data is accurate, saves time, and prevents errors as it is available instantly and error-free.

  3. Advanced Incident Reporting and Compliance

    Older RMS may typically need about 15 to 30 minutes to fill out an incident report and up to an hour to complete complex reports. The newer RMS reduces the time to fill those reports to about 5 to 10 minutes, freeing up time for paramedics and firefighters to do better value-added activities. Also, writing information on paper/notepad is a thing of the past, as essential information can be lost. The newer RMS is designed to capture what has happened with features such as time tracking, stamping, information being fed directly, data being populated securely in the RMS, etc., helping personnel better focus on their core jobs.

  4. Improved Resource Management and Allocation

    Updated software helps fire departments allocate and track resources better, including personnel, equipment, vehicles, etc. With automated scheduling and resource tracking features, staff deployment can be improved, and the right equipment can be available when needed. It improves response time, reduces operational costs, and minimizes resource waste.

  5. Ease of Use & Advanced Safety Features

    Modern vendors have taken steps to improve user experience instead of making it complex, difficult to understand, etc. Also, sometimes, personnel may not know what to put into reports, which can be challenging. The new updated RMS must be designed to help the personnel understand the process better and use it well to the best of their ability. 

    Also, fire response software must have advanced safety features, keeping in mind everyone using it. Features such as real-time incident monitoring, hazard identification, GPS mapping, etc., help fire teams make better decisions to ensure safety and protect the community.

How EPR FireWorks can Help with the right RMS 

EPR Fireworks offers complete records management systems for fire and EMS agencies. It is accessible 24/7 through a browser and does not need a separate mobile app. Suppression and Prevention—two essential fire department functions—are tied together in our integrated pre-plan and inspection system.

Crews can conduct pre-plan surveys, whereas certified fire inspectors can conduct periodic occupancy and business inspections. Critical information, such as emergency contact information, last inspection violations, hydrant locations, Knox Box locations, FDC connections, etc., is always available when emergencies are raised.

Join the growing number of fire departments that have switched to EPR FireWorks and have a look at a glowing testimonial we received from Fire Marshal Cheryl Edwards, Lakeland Fire Department, Lakeland, FL.

“We have been using FireWorks for a couple of years now. We were first drawn to the analytics tool that is part of FireWorks. This tool puts up-to-date data at our fingertips. It allows me to drill down on the data, create charts, and even export the data or the charts.”

We’re here to help, so if you’d like to schedule a demo of our fire department scheduling software, let’s meet and discuss it.

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