The Gamber & Community Fire Company is proud to announce that it has been selected to receive funding from the FY 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).
The approved project costs total $87,500.00. The Federal share is 90 percent or $78,750.00 of the approved amount and Gamber's portion of the costs is 10 percent or $8,750.00.
This grant will allow the fire company to purchase Mobile Data Computers and associated software for all emergency vehicles. The grant award also includes both installation and training.
The fire company is seeking to enhance responses by implementing a computerized system that uses ruggedized Mobile Data Computers (MDC) mounted in each of our 10 emergency response vehicles. This system will take the 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) call information and directly relay the call information to the MDC in the emergency response vehicles.
The MDC will automatically plot the most direct route from the emergency vehicle location to the location of the emergency incident, thus reducing the response time. Software including Mapping, Global Information Systems (GIS), Incident Command and Pre-Planning modules will allow us instant access to hydrants/water sources, hazardous materials amounts and locations, special needs populations, building layouts and other pertinent information at and around the emergency incident.
This software will also allow instant access to the North American Emergency Response Guide providing information about any hazardous material and allowing isolation distances to be placed directly on the map.
Training and implementation are both included in this project. Training will cost $2,500 to have four Officers certified as Train the Trainers. The Officers will then train all emergency response personnel in the use of the MDC's and related software. These Officers are certified by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute as Level I Instructors. The training will benefit all the riding fire fighters and ultimately the public when we utilize the MDC's and software programs.
The Mobile Data Computers and software systems will be used every day and will positively enhance daily fire company operations. This equipment will benefit every member who responds on every incident by having up to date street maps and preplanning information instantly available at the touch of a button. These systems will allow for a quicker arrival time to hospitals and Trauma Centers within the urban areas of Baltimore. Not only would we have the precise running route, but also the GIS and GPS software would be able to recalculate our route in case of road construction or road damage from a major disaster.
The fire company officers and members of the Board of Directors are pleased to publicize the awarding of this grant. We also want to recognize Captain Tim Brown for his hard work and time involved in preparing and submitting the grant.
