System can track exact ambulance location

Warren County ambulances are now integrated with a state-of-the-art mobile data system, according to EMS director Brian Jennings. The computer hardware for the system has been in place for some time and now the second phase of the program, installation of the software to run the system, has been completed.

‘On Dec. 17 our mobile data system was installed,’ Jennings reported at a recent meeting of the Safety Committee. ‘Keeping in mind there’s two parts to this, hardware and software. We already had the hardware in place. The crews were trained on the following days, Dec. 18, 19 and 20. It was also installed at dispatch.’

Jennings says this will connect the EMS system with the local E911 system.

‘We became what they term as ‘integrated’ on our system,’ Jennings said. ‘Which means that the computers at E911 will now talk to the trucks, though on a limited basis. Each ambulance has a computer in it, and with that software and the GPS modem that’s installed, it works as a standalone unit. You can get in the truck and look on the screen and it will show you a map of where you’re going, and a point on a map of where you are, and then shows you moving toward that destination. And every crew has that ability at this point.

‘Now, there’s another term called ‘fully integrated,’ Jennings said. ‘Which means that the CAD system at E911 will generate information every time the phone rings out there, which includes the address that it’s coming from and pinpoints it on the map. They were not able to move that information directly to the ambulances, which is what they call fully integrated, without a couple of software rewrites.’

Jennings says the system provides some amazing capabilities.

‘We have the ability to track the ambulances wherever they go all over the county,’ Jennings said. ‘And we’ve got a dedicated PC which records this information as the ambulances move around the county, so we know where they are at all times. When they’re in motion, we know how fast they’re going. It tells maximum speed, and this all records and can be played back just like a movie.’

But according to Jennings, one of the most important features is the system’s location technology.

‘From each ambulance we can query an address and it will put a little ‘x’ on the map to show where they’re going, and where they’re at,’ Jennings said. ‘So as far as getting there, it’s as simple as looking at the map and following the streets.’

Safety Committee chairman David Grissom said he had seen the system in operation at the E911 center and was impressed with the technology.

‘It shows the station. It shows if the ambulance is sitting outside. I mean, it’s state-of-the-art,’ Grissom said. ‘There’s only, what, four systems in the state that’s got this, right’?

‘That’s correct,’ Jennings said. ‘I think there’s only two others besides us that have a fully integrated system.’

Jennings said the system has gone over well.

‘I’m happy with it. The crews are happy with it,’ Jennings said.

‘I see a big plus in this,’ Grissom said.