Firefighters are among the most respected professionals in society, known for their selfless dedication to protecting lives and property. Retained firefighters, who often serve in rural areas, small towns, and villages, are an essential component of the Fire and Rescue Service. In the UK alone, over 14,000 individuals serve as retained firefighters. These individuals tackle emergencies ranging from fires and floods to road traffic collisions and hazardous materials incidents, ensuring public safety at all hours.
However, the traditional methods of mobilising retained firefighters—such as pagers—present limitations in speed, efficiency, and information access. Evam Central Services changes that paradigm, introducing a groundbreaking approach that modernises how retained firefighters respond to emergencies.
The Role of Retained Firefighters
Retained firefighters perform the same life-saving duties as full-time firefighters, but with one key difference: they are on standby, ready to respond from their homes or workplaces. When an incident arises, they are called to action and make their way to the fire station, where they mobilise with their team.
This model is vital for rural and remote communities where full-time stations may not be feasible. Yet, until they arrive at the station, retained firefighters typically have no information about the incident they’re responding to, or which colleagues will join them. This lack of clarity can delay responses and affect preparedness.
The Challenges of Traditional Mobilisation
The conventional reliance on pagers has served fire services for decades but comes with significant drawbacks:
1. Limited Information: Pagers only alert firefighters to an incident, without providing any details about the emergency or its location.
2. Uncertain Coordination: Firefighters don’t know which colleagues will be available until they reach the station, delaying crew assembly and decision-making.
3. Response Time Issues: Delays in gathering information and assembling the crew can impact response times, particularly in emergencies where every second counts.
Evam Central Services: A Technological Breakthrough
The Evam Central Services App offers a transformative solution to these challenges, leveraging modern technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of retained firefighter mobilisation. Designed as a multi-platform application for smartphones, the app brings real-time information and seamless coordination to both firefighters and control rooms.
Core Features and Benefits:
Tunable Alerts:
The app ensures firefighters never miss a mobilisation notification, even if their phone is on "silent" or "do not disturb" mode. This critical feature guarantees timely responses to emergencies.
Incident Information and Location Access:
Firefighters can view key details about the incident and its location before leaving for the fire station. This early access allows them to mentally prepare and assess the best approach to the situation.
Live Position Tracking:
Control rooms can monitor firefighters’ real-time locations, enabling better coordination. For example, if 4 out of 5 crew members have arrived at the station and the fifth is delayed, the control room can decide to mobilise the crew earlier, saving vital time.
Status Updates:
Firefighters can update their availability status through the app, providing control rooms with a clear picture of who is ready to respond.
Direct-to-Incident Capability:
In some cases, the app allows firefighters to bypass the station and proceed directly to the incident if it is nearby, which can be life-saving in critical situations like cardiac arrests. For example, an integration with public defibrillator maps could enable a firefighter to grab a defibrillator on route.
Access to Operational Resources:
Firefighters can view standard operating procedures, checklists, and other essential resources within the app, ensuring they are fully prepared and aligned with the latest protocols.
Game-Changing Impacts on Fire Services
The implementation of Evam Central Services offers profound benefits for fire services and their communities:
Enhanced Efficiency:
Real-time location tracking and improved communication mean faster mobilisation and better decision-making.
Improved Incident Response Quality:
Access to incident details before arrival at the station ensures firefighters are mentally and logistically prepared, resulting in more effective responses.
Life-Saving Capabilities:
The ability to proceed directly to incidents and access nearby resources, like defibrillators, can make a critical difference in emergencies where seconds matter.
Future-Proofing with Cloud Technology:
Evam Central Services is a cloud-native solution, offering effortless integration with CAD systems and paving the way for next-generation public safety networks like ESN. Fire services can deploy this technology quickly and efficiently without the need for extensive infrastructure changes.
Flexible Deployment
Evam Central Services is designed with flexibility and ease of use in mind. Fire services can choose to provide firefighters with mobile devices or allow them to use their own smartphones.
A Future-Ready Solution for Public Safety
Evam Central Services isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about preparing fire services for the future. With advanced features, seamless integration, and a focus on improving every aspect of retained firefighter mobilisation, Evam is setting a new standard for public safety technology.
Evam is a global leader in mission-critical mobile data solutions, serving over 100 regions and municipalities worldwide. Handling hundreds of thousands of life-threatening incidents annually, our innovative tools empower blue-light agencies to deliver the highest standard of care and response.
Transform Your Fire Service Today
Empower your retained firefighters with the tools they need to save lives and protect communities more effectively than ever before. Book a demo today to see how Evam Central Services can revolutionise your fire service. The future of firefighting is here—be part of it.
