EMS | Operations | Administrative Services | Technical Services

PFD Innovation

The Philadelphia Fire Department realizes how valuable technology can be in providing quality emergency services for Philadelphians. This year the PFD will launch four City-wide technological projects aimed at improving emergency services throughout Philadelphia.

National Fire Information Reporting System (NFIRS)
The NFIRS will record all fire and medical emergencies taking place within the City limits. This state-of-the-art data system will enable the PFD to:
  • Better recognize the fire safety needs of specific neighborhoods
  • Evaluate its own performance
  • Track arson activity
Employee Attendance Reporting System (EARS)
The most valuable resources of the PFD are its members. Through the introduction of the Employee Attendance Reporting System, the PFD will soon be able to monitor the total staffing available at any given time. With EARS in place, the PFD will be able to:
  • Record the daily PFD roll calls and shift information
  • Keep track of total staff availability at any given time
  • Accumulate personnel data to improve cost efficiency
Wide Area Network

In addition to continual Department-wide advancements, the year 2000 will see all firehouses in the Philadelphia Fire Department fully networked to headquarters through a Wide Area Network (WAN).

The new network will not only house all computer systems for the PFD, but it will soon give full capability to all firehouses to receive National Advisories and emergency information.

Mobile Data Terminal

To ensure the quickest and most effective emergency care for Philadelphians, each Medic Unit in the PFD carries a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) in the form of a laptop computer that aids in the provision of:
  • Detailed reports generated and collected on each run
  • Enhanced communications capabilities between the Fire Communications Center and emergency vehicles while responding to emergency situations.
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