A series of independent tests were conducted on July 23, 2005 at the Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute in Baton Rouge, LA. The tests were designed to highlight the effects of the use of the NetTalon System 3000 emergency information system on fire ground operations and decision-making. The quasi-experimental research project was intended to explore the potential of improved information gathering for better time management and utilization of resources, and provide observations of behavioral changes of fire officers during the decision-making process. Although it was not the intent of the evaluation to measure system reliability or lead toward final system approval, the tests did demonstrate to the fire community the efficacy in action of System 3000, which the author feels is considerably raising the bar in the fire service. The tests were managed by Chris Spurlock, Coordinator for Municipal Fire Training, Louisiana State University Fire & Emergency Training Institute (LSU-FETI), Baton Rouge, LA. Chris was assisted by: Mat Ard, LSU-FETI Regional Outreach Program, Manager for South Central Louisiana Robert Triche, LSU-FETI Traveling Instructor Kenny Hunts, Deputy Chief, Brusly, LA Fire Department Louis Simoneaux, Volunteer Firefighter, Napoleonville, LA Fire Department LSU-FETI and fire department personnel who contributed to this tests felt even more strongly the benefits of improved intelligence gathering. Their comments included: "The system is very good, we need it right away!" "I don't have to search the whole building; I know where the fire is and go straight to it." "I can tell the people inside what the fire is doing." "As an incident commander, it gives me information I need to know." These seasoned firefighters are all more than eager to see the system implemented, especially, if possible, for residential use. It is the author's opinion that emergency responders should continue to explore and embrace new technology, as they have other computer-based data resources. The System 3000 can extent this technology trend to include real-time intelligence-gathering capabilities. The speed of the NetTalon fire alarm system and the ability to visualize the fire should tremendously impromve time management and utilization of resources. If the firefighters' response time is reduced, they are entering a less fire-involved, safer building and fighting a fire that's significantly easier to handle. Life and property savings will be the welcome result. THE ADVANTAGE IS APPARENT More and larger-scale tests would provide more complete and reliable data; however, the advantage provided to fire officers equipped with the System 3000 teahnology is apparent. The ability to gather intelligence en route is desirable. Conducting size-up, directing search and rescue, coordinating evacuations, and an array of additional fire ground operations before reaching the scene could give responders a huge advantage. This technology has the potential to vastly improve fire and emergency operations, as well as fire-fighter safety. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE After the test series, participant Kenny Hunts, deputy chief of the Brusly, LA Fire Department, came out very much in favor of System 3000. "It's very good, well thought out, with all the components we need in commercial firefighting today," he said. "I've tested it and personally seen it happen; it's an excellent system. We need it right away." Mat Ard of LSU-FETI was acting as an officer on the rig coming in. "By looking at the computer you could see where we were headed," he said with excitement. "You had so much information that you don't usually have. If this takes off it's going to affect the fire service tremendously." From his post at FETI, Ard has been watching the NetTalon system as preliminary tests were run, but this was his first exposure to a full-scale test. "If they can get it affordable for residential use, possibly with insurance discounts, I can see it making a world of difference in loss of life in our day to day job," he said. Robert Triche, a traveling instructor with LSU-FETI, witnessed two of the tests and oversaw their operation. He likes the current setup with the apparatus onboard each fire truck. "It's a great system," he said. Triche is hoping to see the System 3000 commonly installed by five years from now, reducing injuries and fatalities for firefighters and civilians. "We won't have to search the whole building, we will know where the fire is and go straight to it," he says. Louis Simoneaux, a volunteer firefighter at the Napoleonville, LA Fire Department, was an engine commander for two tests. "As an incident commander, it gives me information I need to know," he said. "With the computer I could tell where the fire was, which way it was traveling and where heat was being transferred." I just sat in the truck with the computer screen and directed my crew where I wanted them to go. On his wish list, however, is a tracking device for each fire fighter. "From a commander's viewpoint I want to know where my people are so I can better direct them or find them quickly if they get in trouble," he said. The outstanding advantage of the new system is its ability to network the local fire department with the building being protected. Firefighters can examine details of a fire and begin to form their strategies before they ever leave the firehouse. The speed of the system and the ability to visualize the fire-involvement situation should greatly increase speed of deployment and efficacy of response.

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Published September 11, 2008

Virtual Command Endorsement

Dr. William M. Kramer, Director, Fire Science Education at the University of Cincinnati OMI College of Applied Science recently had the opportunity to review "Virtual Command Technology" for its application to fire and security emergencies.

Based on that review, Dr. Kramer stated:

1. The system can dramatically reduce the loss of life and property damage when used as a primary fire system.
2. The system will significantly help to ensure the safety of the fire service personnel responding to such an emergency.
3. The real time information provided to responding police and other security personnel will have tremendous influence on improving the potential to save lives in an "active Shooter" incident.
4. The results of the comparative testing demonstrate the tactical value of real time emergency information to dramatically improve the effectiveness of all responders.

Dr. Kramer stated that he "believed so strongly in its effectiveness and the improvement it offers for tactical response to fires and other emergencies that I intend to include it in the curriculum for our Master's Degree in Emergency Management."

Click to read Dr. Kramer's letter.