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Project Goal
To use GIS technology to support the DC Fire and EMS (FEMS) Whole Blood Program, which provides rapid blood transfusion in the field for life-saving intervention for patients with traumatic injuries or major bleeding.Business Problem Solved
FEMS needed several critical data points to ensure it could accurately track the resources involved. These data points include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) for event and response unit tracking, status and temperatures for blood storage equipment such as mobile boxes, refrigerators and freezers and active response personnel. When units respond to an incident requiring the use of blood, a mobile field survey enabled first responders to complete an intake which included unit ID, personnel, ability to scan a barcode for the units of blood, temperature sensor data, event type and transport location. All of these data points were consolidated into a dashboard for FEMS to receive real-time information on the Whole Blood program.
Technology Implemented
The Esri technologies used for this solution include ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Online and Survey123. ArcGIS Dashboards power the common operating picture to provide a view of the active events, status of available blood resources and the equipment used to store and preserve those resources, current Fire and EMS staff on shift and other relevant information. Survey123 is used as the field data collection component of the solution to enable first responders to complete an intake for an incident. Fire and EMS staff can capture event types for an incident, scan bar codes for units of blood used, transport location and other information for both the field units and hospitals. ArcGIS Online is used to manage access to the dashboard and survey and stores the field data.
Development Team Biography
Timothy Hutchison – Public Safety GIS Analyst, District of Columbia Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO)
Tim has over two decades of GIS experience, focusing on support for public safety and emergency management. Joining OCTO in 2018, he supports the DC Emergency Operations Center and National Capital Region events. Using real time data, enhanced data collection and dashboards, Tim creates situational awareness and common operating picture solutions through GIS technology.
Jeffrey Lenard - Firefighter/EMT, District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department (DCFEMS), Special Operations Division
Jeff has dedicated three decades to the fire service. He joined DCFEMS in 2004 and is currently assigned to the Special Operations Division’s Fireboat Company as a Rescue Swimmer and Master Public Safety Diver. Using the ArcGIS platform, he bridges the gap between technology and first responder operations, ensuring effective communication and data-driven decision-making in complex emergencies