Using ArcGIS as Primary Fire Run Card Management system that integrates with CAD

Question

Need some major help in refining our current system.

The Current Set Up:  Currently, our county is divided into 40 or so zones (polygons).  Each zone has response types defined in the attribute table such as, Residential 1st Alarm, Residential 2nd Alarm, etc.  Fire trucks are manually assigned to these response types.  This integrates with our county dispatch center's CAD system and displays for them which truck numbers to dispatch for which zones where the emergency call is located.

Desired system:

•  Trucks are assigned to points (stations).

•  The system automatically pulls the closest appropriate trucks (by response type) based on the address point and proximity to fire stations.

•  The system cannot use the same truck if it's already been called out.

•  Trucks that are out of service must be easily editable and info. must integrate with CAD immediately.

I have investigated this at the ArcGIS custom level....the cost is around $10k for the program, not to mention integration fees for the CAD system.  On top of that, ArcGIS won't guarantee their program will work!  So, looking for other ways of accomplishing this task within reason.  Any help is appreciated.

PeterRitschard · Answer

Actually we have build a Software for Firefighters in Switzerland. This is called FireGIS. A significant part is the Integration of CAD. The main Goal is to draw emergency maps.

The software is in german language, a part is translated in english. But we are still fare away to have a completely english version.

Have a look at www.FireGIS.ch .

Kind regards

Peter

JoeBorgione · Answer

It depends a lot on your CAD too.  I use Spillman at one site, and they have a 'quickest route' module that makes a call from cad to an ArcGIS Engine app that hits a Network DataSet to return the closest unit with drive time defining closest.  However, that site does not use the type of stacking you are describing; it does everything you want it to do though.

At another site that uses Versaterm CAD and the same type of stacking you do, there is no quickest route.

Check with the CAD vendor and see what they have to offer.