Technology helps firefighters on front lines

Technology is changing the way fire agencies battle fires. It can help them get to fires and water sources faster.

“For firefighters on the outside to show up,” Battalion Chief Buddy Bloxham explained. “They can pull up the map and see where they are, regardless of if they’ve been here or not in recent years or something currently going on here right now.”

Interactive maps at a firefighter’s fingertips. It could mean all the difference when battling a fire. These maps show crews addresses, water sources (both hydrants and tanks), and whether some of these communities are gated.

Fire agencies all over the state are using these online maps because they’re efficient. In fact, Battalion Chief Bloxham says he used it just recently while battling a fire in Mariposa County. Changes can be made immediately and sent out to crews on the front lines. Not to mention, online maps save paper and money. Printing maps can cost at least $17, and printing them out several times a day can add up over time. However, the need for hard copy maps is still there.

“The downsides to the tablets or iPhones are only one or two people can look at it,” Battalion Chief Bloxham said. “If we are trying to do a briefing to 30-40 people, we need a large size map so I can throw it on a hood and we can make a plan.”

Of course, connectivity is also a problem in rural areas. Tablet or smartphone batteries don’t last for long periods of time. This isn’t the only new tool in a firefighter’s arsenal. There’s also NIX, the Next Generation Incident Command System — a digital command post.

“So I could be out here in Pebble Beach,” Battalion Chief Bloxham explained. “I can have a fire out in Carmel Valley. Someone in Carmel Valley could draw that map and I’d actually see what they are talking about.”

NIX can also track resources, so they can account for crews at all times during a firefight.

“We can see where our air tankers are flying,” Battalion Chief Bloxham said. “And if your fire engines have transmitters on them or transponders, we are able to see where the fire engines are driving to, which is another benefit during a firefight.”