HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - Smart-Station Call Alerting SystemCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 9
February 9, 2010
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Fire Department
Steve Lewis, 644 -3101, slewis @nbfd.net
SUBJECT: Purchase and Installation of Smart - Station Call Alerting System at
Fire Station #5 — Corona Del Mar
RECOMMENDATION
City Council approve the purchase and installation of WestNet Smart - Station Call
Alerting System for Fire Station 5 in an amount not to exceed $45,000.
DISCUSSION
Background:
Response time is critical to successful execution of every emergency response. The
faster firefighters can get to a fire or emergency, the better the chances for rescuing
victims and knocking down a fire. The quicker paramedics begin CPR on a cardiac
arrest patient, the better the chance of survival for the patient. Because we recognize
the need to continually improve response times, the Fire Department has programmed
the installation of Smart - Station call alerting system at all Newport Beach fire stations
over the past few years. Station #5, Corona Del Mar is the last station to get the
installation.
Smart- Station Call Dispatch:
Under the Smart - Station system, at the same time the call -taker sends the initial
information (type of call and address) to the dispatcher, an electronic signal goes to the
station. This is called a "direct dispatch" because it is done by CAD with no human
intervention. The Smart Station receives the data from the CAD and an electronic
annunciator announces what units are being dispatched and what type of call, i.e.
medical, fire, traffic collision. This early announcement allows firefighters to start
moving towards their apparatus and tells them what protective equipment to don. In the
meantime, the call -taker is getting additional information from the caller, entering it into
the CAD, and sending the updated information to the dispatcher. At the time that the
Purchase and Installation of Smart- Station Call Alerting System
February 9, 2010
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dispatcher has verified the address and call specifics, the vocal call is made over the
radio, pagers, and station announcing system. By this time however, the firefighters are
well on their way toward donning the appropriate protective clothing and in a position to
better use the address information and leave the station. All of the data that has been
gathered is sent to the mobile data computer on the apparatus.
The new system gives anywhere from a few seconds to 45 seconds of "early warning"
that we don't have under the old system. Typically the Smart- Station is providing 15 to
34 seconds of additional response time. When our goal is to respond to a medical call
in a few minutes, an extra 30 seconds represents a significant improvement.
Environmental Review:
This purchase of electronic equipment has been determined to not be a project for
purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Funding Availability:
City Council approved CIP funding for this project in June 2009. $65,000 is available in
account 7271- C8002001 for this project.
Fire Support Services Manager
Submitted by:
Steve Lewis '
Fire Chief