Andhra Pradesh, one of the 28 states of India, is bringing GPS technology in to help their fire fighting department. Many fire departments around the United States have already begun implementing GPS navigation and tracking systems. Emergency response teams of all kinds benefit greatly from this technology. Not only do these devices help fire fighters and other rescue teams know the exact location of the emergency, but it also helps determine which vehicles should be deployed and what the fastest possible route to the destination is. In addition to GPS devices, the fire trucks in Andhra Pradesh will also be equipped with video cameras.
“The GPS-based system enabled with video cameras will be launched in about a month’s time. In the first phase, GPS system and cameras will be installed in 150 fire engines across the state,” a Fire Department official said. There are currently more than 300 fire vehicles in 252 fire stations within Andhra Pradesh. If the program proves successful, there will likely be more GPS devices installed in the fire trucks around Andhra
“In the event of emergency, the fire fighters will dispatch feed from the tablets and with GPS units, in turn will help them access locations and reach the emergency scenes quickly while the officials at the control room can simultaneously keep track of the vehicles,” the official explained. “Fire spreads too fast and if the fire fighters do not reach the scene in time, not only the property will be totally burnt, but several lives will also be lost,”
One of the major motivating factors in adding GPS to the fire-fighting arsenal in Andhra Pradesh, was a devastating fire that took place late last year. In November 2012, a fire broke out in Maikonda residential apartment building. The fire department lost 30 precious minutes trying to locate the fire and seven lives were lost in the blaze. Officials hope to avoid such devastation in the future.
Andhra Pradesh Brings In GPS Technology For Fire Department
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