GIS technology delivers benefits at
West Sussex Fire Brigade
A range of
advanced GIS (geographical information systems) based
computer systems from leading IT solutions provider
Imass are delivering major benefits to West Sussex Fire
Brigade.
Leading the way is the Imass Central Hazard
Management System (CHMS) and in-vehicle HMS (ICHMS),
which uses GIS technology to integrate operational data
with Ordnance Survey mapping to provide information in a
sophisticated visual or spatial format.
The HMS provides West Sussex Fire Brigade with
significant improvements in the way that property and
location related information is consolidated, managed
and made available to fire-fighters at the scene of an
incident.
The brigade adopted the two stage EC procurement
procedure in May 1999, when it tendered for a Fire
Appliance Cab-based Risk Information Computer System.
Station officer David Parker said: "A
pre-assessment of 30 companies identified a short list
of five potential prime contractor suppliers, which
included Imass. The company's thoroughly researched
document clearly demonstrated its understanding of the
fire service requirements and their strength and
experience in PRINCE 2 project management methodology
influenced our decision to select them as prime
contractor."
The IHMS has been installed into all West Sussex Fire
Brigade's 46 fire engines and the in-cab Tempus computer
systems have been fitted with shock mounted internal
components, which allows them to operate in this
demanding environment.
The CHMS acts as a central knowledge base, managing
risk information for distribution to front line
appliances. The knowledge base includes a variety of mapping, premises
data based on OS Address Point, Road network data based
on OSCAR, non-addressable locations, immediate response
plans, CAD plans, photographs and operational
procedures.
Importantly, the CHMS provides the brigade with a
gazetteer, which has a BS7666 Part 3 compliant data
structure. This can be fully integrated with existing
brigade applications and Imass solutions including the
recently launched Imass Hestia- Fire Safety System.
Furthermore by adopting the national standard this also
supports multi-agency information sharing initiatives.
West Sussex County Fire Officer Ken Lloyd said:
"This information is invaluable to the brigade in
managing operational intelligence. It helps to deliver
improved standards of public service and enhances fire
crew safety in emergency situations, enabling officers
to make critical decisions with confidence."
West Sussex has also opted for Imass Hydra, which
provides the brigade with a comprehensive hydrant
management system allowing personnel to easily access
information on hydrant ownership, location and
operational status.
As the systems were being implemented, West Sussex
Fire Brigade identified that it would require an
integrated GIS to link to its command and control unit.
Marese Holland, Head of Fire Control at West Sussex
said, "Imass’ MDS allows fire control to have a
graphical view of the whole incident situation, enabling
them to give senior management a quick strategic
overview."
The MDS can be easily integrated with the brigade's
existing systems and will include a communications
module for two-way messaging with its C&C unit. With
fully integrated GIS systems across a range of areas,
West Sussex Fire Brigade looks set to provide the best
possible service to its public.
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