LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Fire Protection District has received a $5,000 grant that will be used to purchase software used when responding to emergencies.
Fireman’s Fund awarded the grant to the district, according to Chief Ken Wells.
He said the district discovered the Fireman's Fund grant while searching for funding resources in order to purchase emergency response hardware and software.
After extensive research Lakeport Fire District discovered Streetwise CAD Link, which instantaneously provides firefighters with information at the touch of a finger – far beyond any capabilities the district had before, Wells said.
The software can be utilized on tablet PCs, which Wells said are cost-efficient alternatives to laptop PCs and will allow the district to purchase multiple units, which will be placed within emergency response apparatus.
While researching the Fireman's Fund grant Wells said Lakeport Fire District was fortunate to acquire partnership and support with Tom Lincoln of Lincoln Levitt Insurance Group.
Wells credited Lakeport Fire’s receipt of the $5,000 grant to Lincoln's “endless support.”
Because of the funding received by Fireman's Fund Grant, Lakeport Fire was able to not only purchase three tablets and Streetwise CAD Link, but also rugged military grade tablet protective covers and mounting brackets for each vehicle, Wells said.
He said the tablets have been mounted within the district’s three front-line apparatus and are used on a daily basis when responding to emergency calls.
The new software offers time sensitive, critical information to fire personnel, including GPS incident location and mapping, turn-by-turn direction to emergency incidents, live emergency apparatus locations, fire hydrant locations and data, and building preplan information, he said.
Wells said the software also allows instant photo sharing to other units; live instant messaging between units; instant notification of hazards, staging locations and tactical objectives; and status time stamping logs.
Thanks to the grant Lakeport Fire now is able to provide a significantly increased level of service to the community by utilizing the technology, Wells said.
A formal grant check presentation ceremony is scheduled for later this month.