How Technology Can Improve Sustainability in Emergency Response Services
Sustainability is a broad and much-discussed topic, and many emergency services department leaders are investigating how technology could help them achieve their goals. They realize that strategically applied tech could increase efficiency and curb unnecessary resource use, bringing them closer to sustainable aims and giving them better visibility into which areas have the most room for improvement.
Knowing which things others have tried can urge officials to develop similarly groundbreaking options that streamline services for providers and receivers. Here are some fascinating examples of what people have achieved so far.
1. Constructing a Mobile Floating Fire Station
Officials in Dubai have recently attracted attention for their work involving building a world-first: a sustainable, mobile floating fire station. Those who developed this project believe it will transform maritime fire response times, making them more efficient. Leaders have set a goal of reaching fires in just four minutes, enabled by the station’s top speed of 11 mph.
Designers prioritized an eco-friendly appearance and practical functionality when building the structure that can hold up to 16 people. Decision-makers also clarified that since the floating station does not require land, it supports the ongoing preservation of green spaces and the reduction of carbon emissions.
The station prevents potential resource wastage since it can move wherever emergencies occur. It keeps people from building stations in locations that require excessive time and fuel to reach blazes in progress.
This fire station is an excellent example of people thinking outside the box to achieve sustainable aims within emergency services. Considering creative solutions can inspire others to follow suit, causing ripple effects throughout the industry.
2. Using Specialized Apps for Better Resource Allocation
It is increasingly common for emergency response services to use purposeful apps that keep all relevant parties connected and give them the most up-to-date information. They then get critical details promptly and can determine their actions accordingly. Such content helps sustainability by ensuring people do not waste their time or other resources when responding to urgent situations. Additionally, some mobile apps allow individuals from different local authorities or services to communicate in a secure environment.
Those capabilities are vital when circumstances require people from multiple emergency departments to attend a scene. Imagine if a burglar breaks into a house and starts a fire when leaving. That emergency would need people from the local police station and fire department. If both entities receive the correct details as they develop, they will most likely deal with the circumstances most effectively and efficiently.
An example comes from the Western Australia Police Force, where decision-makers installed a purpose-built mobile app on all 6,500 devices. The app was specifically designed for officers responding to family violence calls. It includes useful resources such as a risk assessment framework and a summary of past incidents within particular households. That information helps officers make more pertinent decisions when it matters most.
Additionally, this app’s developers realized that family violence situations are often complicated, and those experiencing them frequently need support from multiple agencies. When officers submit reports through the app, partner entities that may eventually assist those in need receive automatic notifications. That is a sustainable feature that facilitates quick information sharing, reducing how long it takes for the families involved to get the necessary assistance.
3. Bringing Telemedicine to Remote Areas
One of the most remarkable changes in recent years is how people can access their health data on wearable devices instead of through largely inaccessible medical records or vital signs taken during doctor’s appointments. The significantly increased visibility makes it easier to quickly spot potential problems.
People with specific conditions may wear medical alert bracelets informing ambulance crews of allergies or other details pertinent to their circumstances. Then, even if the patient cannot speak, first responders have an accessible way of getting the information. Some wearables are similar because they allow users to share data with authorized parties, such as healthcare providers.
The data-driven nature of today’s society has shaped how emergency services providers communicate with hospital staff while en route. Consider an example used in some of the more isolated areas of Texas. The pilot program supports emergency workers sent to rural regions, equipping their vehicles with secure video-calling technology and wireless patient monitoring systems.
Emergency room physicians can then get real-time details of people in distress, using those insights to recommend care strategies until ambulances reach hospitals. Data associated with the first iteration of the tech indicated it could cause a one-third reduction in deaths. Notably, people tested this technology in areas with oil and gas facilities. Those involved with the project focused on a region that often deals with catastrophic accidents due to those industrial activities.
Including Tech for a More Sustainable Future
Sustainability is essential for allowing critically important services to operate within their budgets and serve those who need them. Progress in this area also enables decision-makers to show that they care about the planet and all its inhabitants. Although choosing and implementing appropriate technologies takes time, the payoffs are often impactful over the long term, making them well worthwhile.