OC Fire Departments utilizing New Technology

Oconee County Fire Departments are now utilizing technology to better respond to emergencies throughout the Golden Corner of South Carolina. Emergency Services responders recently teamed up with Active 911 to place essential incident information into the hands of emergency responders. Active 911 is a digital messaging system that delivers alarms, maps, and other critical information instantly to first responders.  It also allows response efforts to be monitored in real time. In the past, dispatchers would provide the type of call and address to responders over the radio. Now responders have the ability to see up to the minute call information, turn-by-turn routing, map data and monitor other units committed to the incident.  This new technology service is now being sent directly to the mobile devices of 440 responders through IPad tablets. In addition to basic call information; crews can locate their closest fire hydrant, view building pre-plan information and monitor a volunteer’s response location. Since its implementation, Oconee County Fire Chief Charlie King has seen a drop in response times simply by being able to see and dispatch the closest available unit to the incident.