Devils Lake Fire Chief Nate Bennett is excited about how their use of new software will help firefighters and the community.
It’s a technological improvement that could save lives.
Bennett is convinced that Community Connect will help ours to be a safer community for everyone.
“Using this software,” he explained, “homeowners and businesses can enter details, information about the property so we have it available when and if there is a need to know specific details.”
If you have a front door that uses a coded number pad to gain entry and the fire department needs to have access to the house if there’s a fire, for example, they could have that code already in their file so they wouldn’t have to destroy the door or doorway to gain access. This would work, too, if you have a key hidden somewhere to open the door. That information would assist the first responders to gain access in an emergency without having to damage anything.
They would be able to know if anyone in the home is mobility challenged like being confined to a wheelchair or needing to use a walker, what room they’re sleeping in, for example.
They would want to be informed if someone is on oxygen in the home, where those tanks might be located within the apartment or house.
What else they might need to know?
1. If there are adults or infants or young children in the home and if there are any with special needs. How many people are normally present in the apartment or house.
2. If a house has pets that might need rescuing.
3. Where certain valuables might be located in the home or business.
4. How many people live in the home and where they might be located in the building?
5. If anyone has a sensory issue where using flashing lights or sirens might disturb them terribly.
Who would have access to these details?
Only the paid staff of the Devils Lake Fire Department would have specific access to the details. It is not something that all the firefighters would have knowledge of. Volunteers may come and go, but the permanent staff will be responsible and accountable.
How would the software work?
If there was a fire in a home or business, each rig is provided with an I-pad and through that I-pad the information would be available to the incident commander to accurately make a plan of action to make sure all individuals, pets and specified valuables are secured as they fight the fire. Community Connect is a map-based program, it will provide firefighters and first responders with the information they need to get everyone out safely. The information can even be transferred to their phones, so firefighters can have it right with them.
Where do they get the information for Community Connect?
It comes from you.
You decide what you want on file at the firehouse.
A QR code is provided so you can enter the information that matters the most to you. All you have to do is create an account, sign in for free and get started. It just takes your email, phone number and address. Then you enter the valuable information that can help the responders during an emergency. They ask, too, that if anything changes, keep them updated so they can always be prepared.
If you have a little trouble navigating technology, you can bring your phone or device in to the firehouse and they will help you get signed up. A perfect time to do that would be Wednesday, Sept. 13 between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Open House they are hosting at the Devils Lake Fire Department, 621 College Drive N. This is a time to get your questions answered and to get some help signing up for Community Connect.
Try using the QR code we have provided and let the Fire Department know if for some reason it doesn’t work or you have trouble with the information 701-662-3913.
